Sridhar Bhamidi
Manchester United are preparing to beat traditional rivals Liverpool in the race to sign 20-year-old wonder kid from Trabzonspor, Yusuf Yazici, according to reports from the Turkish media outlet Fanatik. The Red Devils are reportedly preparing a bid in the region of £12million for the talented youngster.
The attacking midfielder has spent nine years on the books of Trabzonspor after coming through the youth ranks at his hometown club which he joined as a kid. It was last season that saw Yazici establish himself as one of the real forces in Turkish football.
After scoring 6 times and assisting 10 times, the youngster has attracted the attention of several Premier League top clubs. Everton were reported to have made one of the first inquiries while Merseyside neighbours Liverpool were also linked with an interest in the summer. French Ligue 1 side AS Monaco were also interested in the youngster’s services. However, it is the Red Devils who are leading the chase now.
During Mehmet Ekici’s injury lay-off last season, Yazici established himself firmly in Ersun Yanal’s first-team plans and established himself in the first-team squad.
The €14million-rated youngster has apparently caught the attention of Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho, who feels that the young starlet is a good fit for United and Premier League in general.
Just like with all other young talents coming out of Turkey, his club is not willing to sell him anytime soon. Trabzonspor president Muharram Usta wants to see the Turkey international stay at the club and be a part of the club’s 50th-year-anniversary squad.
That doesn’t mean they wouldn’t sell Yazici ever– far from that. He is being nurtured, so that his market value improves. It would be profitable for the club to sell him for a good sum of money and obviously so.
How does he fit into Jose’s long-term plans? Mourinho is often criticised for not giving the young players their due. However, the recruitment this season for the academy is an assurance that the future of Old Trafford is in safe toes!
