Istanbul Basaksehir coach Erdinc Sozer is excited about the arrival of Bertrand Traore from Premier League outfit Aston Villa, telling Sozcu that the £17 million forward can add versatility to the 2020 Turkish Super Lig champions.
While Aston Villa’s pursuit of Watford winger Ismaila Sarr appears to have hit the buffers, Traore’s departure is probably too far down the line to be in danger of being called off at this stage.
The Burkina Faso international was spotted posing for photos with a Basaksehir scarf at Istanbul airport over the weekend. He will join on loan initially, having fallen out of Steven Gerrard’s plans at Villa Park.
And it’s his flexibility that really appeals to Basaksehir’s assistant coach.
“I know Traore from Lyon. We were rivals before,” says Sozer.
“He can play in different positions; Winger, second striker, centre-forward. His wish is to play as a striker, and we will evaluate him in those positions.”
Bertrand Traore is leaving Aston Villa for Turkey
Traore never really got a chance in his preferred central role in a claret-and-blue shirt. Dean Smith, the manager who brought the former Chelsea youngster back to England from Lyon during the summer of 2020, used his £17 million man almost exclusively as an inverted, right-footed left winger.
“As you know, there were many clubs that wanted me. There was a lot of time to think, but I wanted to come to Basaksehir,” Traore explains.
“I talked to people who know the club well. It was a club I knew before. I knew the coach, I knew the players.
“I have known (diretor and former Chelsea coach) Eddie Newton since he was very young. He told me good things about the club. I also talked to (ex-Basaksehir striker Emmanuel) Adebayor.”
Traore reportedly received a £40,000-a-week offer from Galatasaray before opting to join their Istanbul neighbours. Fellow Aston Villa misfit Morgan Sanson could join him in the Turkish capital before the window closes.
Frederic Guilbert and Marvelous Nakamba are also available for transfer.
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