Abdulkadir Omur cannot help but wonder how his career would have panned out if Trabzonspor had not rejected a £22 million bid from Premier League giants Manchester City back in 2019.
Last week, Arda Guler became the most expensive player in the history of Turkish football, the Fenerbahce wonderkid joining Real Madrid for a deal that could rise to £26 million.
It was a record Guler would have taken from Abdulkadir Omur. That’s if his compatriot had sealed that dream move to the Etihad Stadium four years ago.
Trabzonspor’s president, Ahmed Agaoglu, indicated that – if he could turn back the clock – he would have accepted Manchester City’s big-money bid for a diminutive youngster who at the time was being described as Turkey’s answer to Lionel Messi.
Now 24, Omur is still a key player at Trabzonspor. But he has not kicked on as expected. A series of niggling injuries seemingly putting pay to any hopes he had of honing his talents under the legendary Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium.
Abdulkadir Omur could have joined Manchester City
“Just as Arda Guler went to Real Madrid, Manchester City wanted me,” Omur, labelled ‘very similar to Messi’ by former team-mate John Obi Mikel, tells TRT Spor.
“There was an offer of 26 million euros. Jokingly, I said to our president; ‘Let me go’. He did not allow me (to join Man City).
“Four or five days after the offer, I got injured. It was bad. I wonder what would have happened if I went to Manchester City at that time.”
Capped 10 times by Turkey; Omur was also linked with the likes of Wolves, Liverpool and Newcastle United shortly after forcing his way into the Trabzonspor side with a series of breathtaking cameos.
A move still appeals to the winger-turned-midfielder, though a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity at Man City may not come around again.
“My agents (deal with the) transfer business,” Omur adds. “If an offer comes, (my agents) will present it to the club. If there is any development, you will be informed.”
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