According to a report from Turkish outlet 61 Saat, Brighton are preparing an offer to sign Trabzonspor’s Ugurcan Cakir this summer.
The 24-year-old shot-stopper has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League. TMW claimed back in May that Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and Everton were interested in the Turk, while HaberTS revealed that Leicester City and Newcastle United were also keen.
NTV Spor reported last month that Sheffield United had lined him up as an option to replace Dean Henderson, and it now looks like Cakir has another Premier League side lurking around him.
61 Saat claim that Brighton are preparing to make an offer for the Turk in the coming days. The Seagulls will place an opening bid of £13.5 million for Cakir which is a fair offer for a goalkeeper of his age and potential.
Graham Potter’s side have Matthew Ryan as their undisputed number one at the moment. The Australian has been brilliant for Brighton over the years but he has lacked serious competition.
David Button has played only in the domestic cups while Jason Steele’s six appearances last season came for the reserves. Christian Walton has returned after a loan spell at Blackburn but the 24-year-old’s contract is up in less than a year.
The need for a new goalkeeper to keep Ryan on his toes is evident and Cakir would be a very impressive addition. The Turk has been brilliant in his home country over the last two years and he is destined for a move away to a bigger league.
Cakir has played 77 times for Trabzonspor and has earned two caps for his national side so far. He is widely regarded as one of the finest prospects coming out of Turkey and Brighton could well pull off a brilliant deal this summer.
However, Cakir will have to settle for a place on the bench initially. Ryan is likely to remain as Brighton’s number one at the start of next season which could ruin the deal, especially if another club offers him an immediate starting role.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
