Free-agent Yusuf Yazici could still move to the Premier League with Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Brentford and AFC Bournemouth all considering offers for the Turkey international.
- Exclusive from Graeme Bailey
Unai Emery’s Aston Villa side were treated to a first-hand demonstration as to Yusuf Yazici’s talents when they went head-to-head with Lille in the quarter-finals of last season’s Europa Conference League.
The well-travelled midfielder has always had that knack of making well-timed runs into the penalty area.
And, as he opened the scoring against Aston Villa at the Stade Pierre Mauroy, Yazici pulled out his party piece. Arriving fashionably late following a fizzed cross into the penalty box, he ran onto the ball and fired a cool first-time finish past the eventual penalty shoot-out hero Emiliano Martinez.
That performance is likely to be at the forefront of Villa’s minds as the Midland giants weigh up a move that would see Yazici become a team-mate of Martinez and co in claret-and-blue.
Aston Villa consider Yusuf Yazici swoop
HITC have been told that Yazici, who remains a free-agent three months after his Lille contract expired, is still hopeful of sealing a move to the Premier League.
The likes of Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle, Wolves and Manchester United had all been made aware of his availability, as HITC reported last week. Neither Spurs, Newcastle nor Wolverhampton Wanderers appear likely to take up such an offer at this stage, however.
Man United, meanwhile, would only have moved for Yazici had they succeeded in finding a buyer for Christian Eriksen. With the Turkish, Dutch and Belgian transfer windows all closed – and Eriksen not keen on a switch to the MLS or the Middle East – the veteran Dane will be staying put after scoring twice in the 7-0 Carabao Cup thrashing of Barnsley.
That is not to say Yazici’s Premier League dream is dead, however.
HITC can now confirm that there are still four clubs who are both interested, and have space in their 25-man roster for an experienced free-agent. Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Brentford are weighing up an offer.
As are the aforementioned Aston Villa.
Now, Yazici is perhaps unlikely to be a starter under Emery. But the rangy 27-year-old would add valuable experience to a side needing to balance both Premier League and Champions League exploits this term.
Yazici’s versatility also means he could act as a back-up behind Morgan Rogers – who shone again in the 3-0 hammering of BSC Young Boys in Switzerland – while also helping out in a deeper role if required a la Ross Barkley.
Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Brentford keen
Yazici was once labelled ‘an incredible talent’ and an ‘amazing number ten’ by former Arsenal, Real Madrid and Germany superstar Mesut Ozil. He scored 14 goals as Lille won the Ligue 1 title in 2021, and even once fired a European hat-trick past AC Milan.
“I really like Trabzonspor duo Yusuf Yazici and Abdulkadir Omur. They are incredible talents,” Ozil told Hurriyet back in 2018, the latter now at Hull after a failed move to Manchester City in his younger days.
“Yusuf Yazici is an amazing No 10. We have a lot of similarities; his left foot, his position, his passing, and calmness on the ball.”
Crystal Palace have looked ponderous in attack this season, meaning Yazici may be a welcome addition. Bournemouth and Brentford, meanwhile, could also make good use of his box-crashing talents and his ability to float effectively between the lines.
HITC can confirm that Aston Villa are also weighing up a move for Yazici’s fellow free-agent, the former Red Bull Salzburg defender Oumar Solet. Villa may also be lining up the former after missing out on ex-Tottenham playmaker Giovani Lo Celso.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
