Bursaspor striker Ali Akman has his heart set on a move to the ‘highest levels’ of European football amid reported interest from Arsenal and Manchester City, he told TRT Spor.
If there were any doubts about the raw potential of this fresh-faced centre-forward, a brilliantly-taken goal reminiscent of a certain Barcelona superstar dispelled those concerns in some style.
Akman scored his tenth goal in the last 17 games against Adana Demispor on Saturday – and what a goal it was.
One-on-one with the Demispor ‘keeper, Akman lofted a sublime chip high into the Turkish night sky and into the back of the net.
“I watch European games a lot. Lionel Messi is doing this shot frequently,” the teenage hot-shot said after giving his burgeoning reputation another shot in the arm.
“It is a shot that leaves the goalkeepers desperate. I watched it for hours without getting bored and scratched my head. I have been thinking about that goal for a year. I wanted to score such a goal.
“(Now) I show myself that I can.”
It is this prodigious work-rate, a ravenous hunger for self-improvement, that will do his chances of a fine career at the very top level no harm at all.
The Mail reports that Arsenal, Chelsea and a number of Serie A and Bundesliga clubs are all interested, as are a Red Bull Salzburg side who unearthed uncut gems such as Naby Keita, Sadio Mane and Dayot Upamecano.
Akman is due to become a free agent at the end of the season too. With that in mind, the Mail believes that Bursaspor would be willing to consider offers of around £3 million for their top scorer and talisman.
“I want to prepare myself for the highest level. I want to follow the right paths for this. I think it will be right to progress gradually. I see the potential to rise to the highest level,” he added.
“I trust myself. I’m doing everything well.”
Galatasaray have also been linked but, clearly, Akman is prioritising a move to the West over a prolonged stay in Turkey.
“Is the target Europe over Istanbul? I want to go (to Europe) directly.”
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