Liverpool scouted Fenerbahce ace Ozan Tufan on Saturday as the midfielder scored twice in Turkey’s 3-0 World Cup qualification victory over Norway, as reported by Fanatik.
With representatives working on behalf of the Premier League champions watching from the stands at La Rosaleda, the 26-year-old could hardly have picked a better time to produce probably the finest performance of his international career.
Not content with opening the scoring against a much-fancied Norway side, slamming a left-footed volley into the bottom corner, Tufan then outdid himself late on, whipping a sublime, 25-yard shot into the roof of the net – with his right foot, this time.
In all competitions, Tufan has now scored nine times for club and country this season.
Silky and strong in equal measure, the former Bursaspor youngster was likened to Yaya Toure in his younger days and is belatedly starting to fulfil that vast potential after a couple of difficult years threatened to derail his career.
“The world will soon have a central midfielder on the level of [Toure] on their hands,” said ex-Fener boss Vitor Pereira.
Tufan’s two-goal performance against Norway certainly felt rather Yaya-esque and, with a Gini Wijnaldum hole needing to be filled in Jurgen Klopp’s engine room, could the 57-capped Turkey international be in line for a shock switch to Anfield?
According to Hurriyet, Tufan is valued at around £13 million.
With the likes of Renato Sanches and Nicolo Barella expect to command far larger fees, Tufan may be another bargain signing from a club who snapped up Wijnaldum from relegated Newcastle in an inspired £25 million deal five years ago.
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