49ers Enterprises may be clutching at straws at Leeds United as Kerem Aktürkoğlu transfer news emerges
49ers Enterprises may well be clutching at straws ahead of the January transfer window with Leeds United plotting an ambitious swoop for Kerem Aktürkoğlu.
Turkish outlet Fanatik reported on its website on Sunday (17 December) that Galatasary has received plenty of attention from clubs both in England and Italy for the 25-year-old, with Leeds and Lazio named as potential suitors in January.
English and Italian clubs have frequently contacted the winger’s agent and as a matter of precaution, the Turkish giants have already planned to ward off interest when the transfer window opens in the new year.
Another Turkish news outlet Aksam reported on Tuesday 19 December that it will take a “crazy” offer of £12.9million to sign the Galatasaray star in January.
Officials at the Turkish giants are said to have made their demands known and will not consider any offers that fall below that to let go of one of their star performers.
It is reported that Leeds United are ready to pay that fee to sign the winger and bring him to Elland Road next month. However, they face tough opposition from Lazio.
Akturkoglu is a very talented player and has been in impressive form so far this season, scoring four goals and picking up another five assists in 15 Turkish Super Lig matches, especially a tremendous strike in the Champions League group stages against Leeds rivals Manchester United.
The Turkish international has emerged as one of the country’s biggest talents, averaging 2.9 key passes per game in the Super Lig and so far creating a whopping 11 big chances so it is no surprise that clubs are interested.
Leeds United’s interest is of little surprise too given their need for fresh creative ingenuity to get them competing with the likes of Leicester City and Ipswich Town in the Championship.
The 49ers Enterprises will already be in deep discussions with Daniel Farke and Nick Hammond as they look to finalise their shortlist for the January window.
Leeds were looking at more attackers over the summer without success, so it does make sense if Akturkoglu has jumped into their sights ahead of the window.
However, £12.9m seems a stretch for a club who will be looking to manage their finances with a fine tooth comb in the coming window and spending that in January screams a bit of desperation.
Other areas such as full-back and midfield could also do with some more depth too and that money could be enough to splash on three players to fill those gaping holes.
Akturkoglu is a superb talent and one which Leeds United must be targeting in future. However, it remains to be seen whether he will be tempted by a Championship move when Galatasaray will be playing European football this season so right now, this deal is far-fetched.
Should the Turkish gem remain at Galatasaray beyond January and Farke navigates a return to the Premier League then Leeds United are well within their rights to splash the cash on him next summer.
For now, 49ers Enterprises are simply clutching at straws on this deal.
In other Leeds United news, media in Italy have slammed Rasmus Kristensen labelling him Roma’s worst-ever signing