Reported Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur targets Ugurcan Cakir and Altay Bayindir are top-class goalkeepers who should be worth around 50 million euros, former Turkey ace Oktay Derelioglu told Hurriyet.
It seems that two of the Premier League’s bona fide big-hitters are heading to Istanbul in search of a new shot-stopper.
With reports linking Adrian with a return to Spain, Liverpool sent scouts to watch Besiktas ace Cakir in action as Turkey thrashed Norway 3-0 in Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.
Asist Analiz claim that Chelsea, West Brom and Brighton also had representatives in the stands at La Rosaleda.
Cakir started both of Turkey’s games during the March international break as Altay Bayindir, a £12 million target for Jose Mourinho’s Spurs, watched on from the sidelines (Fanatik).
With a handful of talented youngsters plying their trade for a number of top-quality European clubs, Senol Gunes’ side appear to be in the midst of something approaching a golden generation.
According to Derelioglu, it is only a matter of time before two of the continent’s most promising goalkeepers are following in the footsteps of Ozak Kabak, Hakan Calhanoglu and co.
“Within a few years (Altay could play for) Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona or Chelsea,” said Derelioglu. “Cakir has the quality to play for Real Madrid.”
“Altay and Ugurcan should cost 50 million euros (£43m). In my opinion, the best squad of the league is Fenerbahçe’s. But if it were not for Altay Bayındir, the team could have around 48-49 points.”
As it stands, Fener are third in the league with 59 points to their name. Derelioglu’s point is clear; without the weekly heroics of their in-form shot-stopper, a team coached by ex-Newcastle star Emre Belezoglu could have kissed the title race goodbye a long time ago.
Derelioglu does believe, however, that both Altay and Cakir could be sold for as little as £18 million this summer – a bargain fee, given their undoubted potential.
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