Chelsea are reportedly eyeing a summer move for Altinordu wonderkid Berke Ozer in order to boost their goalkeeping options for the new season.
According to The Sun, Chelsea are looking to secure the signature of Berke Ozer. The Altinordu wonderkid is now on the radar of not just Chelsea but several other clubs, with the Blues set to compete against Manchester City, Barcelona and a few other clubs in pursuit of the Turkish youngster.
Berke Ozer is not an unknown quantity anymore. The 17-year-old has already made the senior grade at Altinordu and his appearances for the first-team have already impressed onlookers, so much so that the player has already been called up to the Turkish National Team.
Ozer was earlier linked to Manchester City, but it seems Barcelona and Chelsea have joined the queue as well. Chelsea could be set for a goalkeeping crisis, of sorts, with the contracts of Willy Caballero and Eduardo – second and third choice at the Bridge – set to expire at the end of the season.
While Ozer would not be brought in as a starter to potentially replace Thibaut Courtois, if he does end up leaving in the summer, the Altinordu wonderkid would be a potent deputy to whoever is brought in to replace the Belgian.
The Blues, though, appear to be in a clear lead over others, with Chelsea already attempting to strike a partnership with Altinordu and prise Ozer away in the same agreement.
Chelsea had reportedly offered Altinordu the opportunity to receive some Chelsea players on loan as part of the agreement – one that the Turkish club has already rejected for a player who has been likened to Italian prodigy Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Altinordu coach Huseyin Eroglu highlighted Altinordu’s commitment towards building an entirely local team.
Eroglu said,”Chelsea have been sending scouts to Izmir for Berke Ozer, and to take a look at our project. At our last meeting they said they could send us players on loan. But they seemed shocked when I said we had to politely decline. We are not interested in training up other clubs’ players. Our mission is clear. Altinordu will develop local youths to create a complete academy-developed squad.”
#Chelsea are on the cusp of acquiring former #ManCity target Berke Ozer – after allowing the goalkeeping starlet on trial. (Sky)
Ozer, who has been capped for Turkey throughout U15-17 level, has made five appearances this season for Turkish second division outfit Altınordu. pic.twitter.com/MKAd0Ub1oV
— T | S (@coolingbarbecue) April 5, 2018
Ozer is generating widespread interest and Altinordu might just be forced into parting ways with their prodigious custodian. The club though, seem unfazed by the approach from Chelsea, who would surely need to do more in order to secure the services of Ozer.
