Manchester United and Tottenham are reportedly both keen on acquiring the services of Gaziantepspor prodigy Serkan Bakan.
According to ESPN, Manchester United and Tottenham are showing a keen interest in Turkish prodigy Serkan Bakan. The 16-year-old, who currently plies his trade for Gaziantepspor, is set to be in the midst of a transfer battle as the two Premier League giants go head-to-head for the young Turk.
Serkan Bakan catapulted himself into the limelight by becoming the youngest player (15) to score a goal in top-flight Turkish football – the player scored Gaziantepspor’s only goal in a 4-1 loss to Antalyaspor in February, 2017. The 16-year-old made a total of 4 senior appearances with 2 goals to his name for the club.
And it is this prodigious talent that has attracted the likes of Manchester United and Tottenham – a report that is substantiated with quotes from the youngster’s agent, Ibrahim Polat.
LATEST: Manchester United, Tottenham in race for 16 year old wonderkid Serkan Bakan – agent https://t.co/lhJYDs5gTS Turkish-Football pic.twitter.com/HJBZSBM6nI
— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) July 25, 2017
Polat said to ESPN,“ Manchester United and Tottenham have been scouting Bakan. Several clubs from Germany have also been keeping tabs following his debut season in the Super Lig. He already has goals in the cup and league. Serkan is a special talent, so it is natural for there to be a lot of interest.”
While the clubs in Germany have not been named, there is a general sense that Gaziantepspor would struggle to retain the services of Bakan for long, especially after their relegation from the Turkish Super Lig – the player is yet to sign a professional contract.
And as the player turns 17, the club will likely attempt to get Bakan to pen down a professional deal by offering him assurances of regular first-team football, something which will unlikely be made available to the youngster anywhere at this point of time.
The young Turks have been making quite a splash in the European scene as the next set of the generation has already started raising eyebrows.
Serkan Bakan became the youngest goalscorer in the Turkish Cup & Super Lig when he netter last season aged 15. One to keep an eye on ?
— Turkish Football (@Turkish_Futbol1) July 25, 2017
Enes Unal joined Manchester City a while ago and is already hailed as a future superstar while Cengiz Under, who was linked to both Manchester United and Tottenham earlier, has recently completed a big-money move to AS Roma.
16-year-old Bakan could soon be set to follow in Unal’s footsteps, though, with a move to the Premier League looking likely. Although, Bakan would either be heading to London, or to Manchester, albeit the red half of the city, if and when the two clubs decide to go in for the prodigy.
The attacking midfielder has already impressed everyone with his eye-for-goal and ability on the ball. Now, all that remains is for the Under-16 international to decide how to further his career – to stay with the club in Division Two of Turkish football or join the big leagues but either be loaned out or play for their academy squads.
