Fenerbahce coach Vitor Pereira is desperate to keep hold of Attila Szalai amid interest from Premier League trio Aston Villa, West Ham United and Newcastle, as he told Sporx.
Considering that the former Porto and Shanghai SIPG boss has been tasked with securing Fener’s first Super Lig title since 2014, you can see why Pereira is setting his stall out early with interest in his most coveted player expected to rise as the curtain falls on the European Championships.
Szalai had emerged as a target for a number of Premier League sides even before impressing in the so-called ‘Group of Death’, standing tall as an unfancied Hungary side defied their ‘whipping boys’ moniker while taking points off both France and Germany.
Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham United have all been linked.
According to Blikk, Szalai would welcome the chance to join a Leicester City side who frequently provide a platform for talented youngsters keen to realise their potential.
Is Attila Szalai heading to the Premier League after Euro 2020?
Leicester and co will have to go through Pereira to get to Szalai, however, with the new Fenerbahce manager fighting tooth and nail to keep a man who has outshone even Mesut Ozil since arriving from Cypriot football in January.
“We are on the road with the goal of (winning the) Championship. Szalai is one of our best players. He will be one of the players who gives us the biggest contribution in this journey,” insisted Pereira.
“I need Szalai to achieve our goals.
“The club’s interests are obviously important, but I think Szalai should stay with us this season, no matter how good the offer.”
Fener president Ali Koc, meanwhile, also broke his silence regarding the 23-year-old centre-back recently, claiming that offers below £18 million will not be considered.
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