'Special player': President says he could sell reported Everton target for £25m

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Fenerbahce president Ali Koc has admitted that the ‘special’ Altay Bayindir may be sold for £25 million, amid reports linking the goalkeeper with Premier League club Everton, while speaking to Hurriyet and Gazete.

The Toffees have got a busy couple of weeks ahead of them.

It is nearly a month since Carlo Ancelotti rushed back to Real Madrid and we still have no idea who will take his place in the Goodison Park dugout, with the potential appointment of Rafa Benitez splitting the board down the middle.

If that wasn’t enough, Everton are also under pressure to bring in a new right-back, a centre-forward, a number ten and a box-to-box midfielder before the transfer deadline on August 31.

A goalkeeper may be needed too, after the Merseyside giants opted not to trigger the option-to-buy clause in Robin Olsen’s contract – a decision that looks increasingly questionable following the Swede’s star showing at Euro 2020.

Fanatik reported last week that 23-year-old Altay Bayindir had been lined up as a replacement.

But would Everton really pay £25 million for someone who would likely be viewed as little more than back-up for Jordan Pickford in England’s north west?

Will Altay Bayindir replace Robin Olsen at Everton?

“Altay Bayindir also has many interested suitors. Young goalkeepers are in great demand across Europe,” said Fenerbahce’s president.

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“I can say we won’t sell him. But with an offer of 30 million euros (£25 million), we would of course have to consider it.

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“Altay is a special player. He is a special personality. I can say that we will not sell Altay easily. Altay is a character that every team wants, there is a lot of interest in Altay from Europe.”

Eredivisie champions Ajax are also reported to be interested in the Turkey international, as doubts continue to swirl about the future of Arsenal-linked shot-stopper Andre Onana.

And if Everton want to save up their funds for a new striker or a defence-splitting play-maker, then the Toffees may consider promoting Joao Virginia to second-choice goalkeeper.

Interestingly, Fenerbahce’s president has also been discussing the future of another Premier League-linked youngster in the shape of Attila Szalai.