Tottenham Hotspur have been linked with the 19-year-old.
Basaksehir vice-president Mustafa Saral has confirmed to Turkish football that “several clubs” are tracking reported Tottenham Hotspur target Cengiz Under, but claimed that the club would keep him in Turkey for one more season.
The 19-year-old midfielder is one of the hottest young prospects in European football following a fine campaign. with Basaksehir.
Under netted nine goals and set up seven in 42 appearances across all competitions for the Turkish outfit this past season, courting interest from a host of clubs on the continent in the process.
According to Ajansspor last month, Tottenham agreed a £7.8 million deal for him in a report which seems wide of the mark, given that he is not yet with Spurs.
Basaksehir’s technical director Abdullah Avci claimed this week that the club could sell if Under – also a reported target of Manchester United and Lille – wanted to go and the offer for his services was acceptable.
But Saral has told Turkish Football that it is in Under’s best interests to remain at Basaksehir for at least another season.
“Several clubs have been scouting Cengiz,” he said. “Lille have held direct talks with us, we have held talks with a few teams that have been mentioned.
“Our response has been the same, it is an honour to receive so much interest but we feel it is in his best interests to spend one more season here and then leave.
“We will see what happens.”
Given he is the club’s vice-president, this appears to kill off the speculation linking him with a summer exit. Then again, it could also be a bluff, a subtle hint for reported suitors to raise their offer as Basaksehir attempt to gain as much money for their prized asset as they possibly can.
Avci, their technical director, wouldn’t have encouraged further offers, just days before the latest soundbites, if he was definitely not for sale this summer. And Tottenham should test Saral’s statement by maintaining their interest in spite of the comments.
If Under is as good as they say then Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino don’t want this one coming back to bite them.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
