Ugurcan Cakir confirms that he wants to leave Trabzonspor this summer after Premier League duo Newcastle United and Leeds held talks with the Turkey international, speaking to A Spor.
As far as trophies go, the Turkish Super Lig title would make ‘Ol Big Ears’ itself look like little more than an oversized thimble. The very definition of ‘opulence’.
No wonder Cakir couldn’t keep his eyes of it, captaining Trabzonspor to domestic glory for the first time since Marcelo Bielsa was still coaching the Newells Old Boys youth team in the 1980s.
According to Fanatik, Leeds and Newcastle have approached Cakir’s representatives to enquire about a potential £17 million move to the Premier League.
It remains to be seen if there is any truth in those claims, though the goalkeeper’s agent and brother has already admitted that ‘clubs in England are among those who are interested’ in one of the game’s most underrated shot-stoppers.
Newcastle and Leeds want Ugurcan Cakir
“Since I started playing for Trabzonspor, I have made a lot of sacrifices,” Cakir said this weekend, two weeks after skippering the Black Sea side to glory.
“One of my goals is to go to Europe. If a suitable offer arrives for me, I want to go. I have won three cups at Trabzonspor now. They won’t be angry with me if I leave. If there is a reasonable offer, I want to go.
“There were offers before, but I was always in the middle (of fighting for a title). I made a lot of sacrifices. The club know it. If there is a reasonable offer, I want to go this season.
“My preference (is to take) a very good step (forward) in line with my goals. It’s not a preference of a league.”
It is no secret that Newcastle are in the market for a new number one. Robert Sanchez of Brighton is reportedly Eddie Howe’s top priority, per The Sun, though Thomas Strakosha (Lazio) and Odysseas Vlachodimos (Benfica) have also been linked.
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Leeds’ interest in Cakir, meanwhile, will raise speculation regarding Illan Meslier’s future at Elland Road.
The highly-rated Frenchman has his fair share of admirers, Paris Saint-Germain among them. A deal for Cakir will only be possible, however, if Leeds can stave of the threat of relegation on a nail-biting final day.
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