Man Utd & Sheffield United Among Seven Clubs Scouting Trabzonspor Duo This Weekend
By Josh Sim
Trabzonspor duo Uğurcan Çakir and loan striker Alexander Sorloth will be playing in front of an array of scouts from seven European clubs this weekend.
Goalkeeper Çakir has played 29 games for the Turkish club this season and kept four clean sheets, while Crystal Palace forward Sorloth has scored 19 goals in the Süper Lig and is the league's top scorer.
Both players have played key roles for Trabzonspor, who currently sit in second place in the Süper Lig and are just a point behind leaders Istanbul Başakşehir.
Turkish outlet Fotomac are reporting that European clubs including Premier League sides Sheffield United and Manchester United, as well as La Liga outfit Sevilla and Bundesliga club RB Leipzig are all sending representatives to watch the duo play against Rizespor on Saturday afternoon.
The 23-year-old Çakir has impressed throughout this season in Turkey and is said to have caught the attention of numerous clubs across the continent, including Premier League clubs Everton and Southampton. Ligue 1 side Marseille have also been linked with the Turkish international, who is under contract until 2024.
Fotospor recently reported that the goalkeeper's strong performances had led to a bid from the Blades in January, which was rejected. It's understood the bid was for €13m, but was turned down as the Süper Lig team value him at €30m.
The Yorkshire club have been preparing for the possibility of United taking current on-loan regular Dean Henderson back to Old Trafford at the end of the season. A goalkeeper would be the priority target for Chris Wilder's side, and they are expected to return with a second bid for the Trabzonspor stopper in the summer.
Meanwhile, Sorloth has impressed many clubs with his displays this season. The seven clubs scouting him this weekend will join the already-stacked group of suitors chasing the Norwegian, including Newcastle United, Brighton and Monaco.
Indeed, scouts from these three teams attended Trabzonspor's game last weekend and watched the on-loan striker bag a brace in a 2-2 draw with Besiktas.
Interest has ramped up in the Palace striker with Trabzonspor said to keen on keeping him permanently, but could also look to move him on quickly for a handy profit after signing him. A clause in his current loan deal sets out that the Turkish club can sign him on a permanent basis for a small fee of €6m.
It has looked increasingly likely that both players will depart Turkey this summer, yet their destinations remain unclear. The wide interest from Premier League clubs suggests that there is a strong chance the duo could end up playing in England next season.