Leicester City head of recruitment Lee Congerton has claimed Liverpool placed a £22m for Trabzonspor star Ugurcan Cakir, who he describes as ‘one of the best’ goalkeepers he’s ever seen.
According to reports, Congerton was invited to watch Trabzonspor’s Turkish Cup semi-final against Fenerbahce by club’s assistant manager Eddie Newton — who has worked extensively with Congerton in the past.
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- Cakir has made more saves in the penalty area (48) than any other goalkeeper in the Turkish Super Lig this season.
- The 23-year-old has been linked with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea.
- Leicester head of recruitment Congerton has also been to watch the Trabzonspor stopper in action.
- He described Cakir as ‘one of the best’ goalkeepers he’s ever seen.
- Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaolu has confirmed Liverpool have lodged a bid for Cakir.
Chelsea are also said to hold a strong interest in Cakir — who made his senior international debut for Turkey against Greece last year — after he left a lasting impression on Congerton.
“He [Cakir] is one of the best goalkeepers I have seen in my life,” Congerton told Turkish reporters.
“I was wondering who the goalkeeper was that Liverpool offered £22 [€25m] million.”
However, it’s Liverpool that seem to be chasing Cakir the hardest, with Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaoglu confirming he received a bid from the Premier League leaders and that offers continue to come in.
“There are offers for Cakir, we continue to receive offers. It’s been said Liverpool have made an offer,” Agaoglu said.
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“So a team that is undefeated in the Premier League wants my keeper. In other words, Liverpool’s goalkeeper is in my goal.”
Cakir has made the second-highest number of saves (79) of any goalkeeper in the Turkish Super Lig this season, with his fine form helping Trabzonspor to joint-second in the table, just three points behind leaders Istanbul Basaksehir with a game in hand.
Trabzonspor face Yeni Malatyaspor in their next match.