Newcastle United have been linked with a move for 18-year-old Fenerbahce defender Emir Ortakaya.
A report from Turkish publication Aksam claims that Newcastle United are hoping to bring talented young defender Emir Ortakaya to the Premier League at the end of the season.
It is no surprise that Newcastle United want to add more depth to their defensive unit. The Premier League side have been overly reliant on players like Sven Botman, Fabian Schar and Dan Burn all season.
So they will need to bring in more central defenders especially if players like Jamaal Lascelles leave the club in the summer. The 18-year-old Turkish defender is a player with immense potential and could prove to be a superb long-term acquisition for the Premier League side.
Newcastle are currently fighting for a place in the Champions League next season. And they could be an attractive destination for the player. Working under a manager like Eddie Howe could help the youngster improve and fulfil his potential at the Premier League club.
The 18-year-old is extremely talented with a big future ahead of him. He needs to join a club where he will get regular game time. He cannot afford to sit on the bench regularly. So Newcastle United must look to provide him with game-time assurances.
The defender has a contract with Fenerbahce until the summer of 2027, and he is valued at €10 million. The reported asking price should not be a problem for a club with Newcastle’s resources. They are one of the richest clubs in the world. And the reported asking price could prove to be a reasonable outlay in the long run.
The 18-year-old has impressed Newcastle with his performances during his loan spell at second-tier Turkish club Goztepe. The teenager can operate as a right-sided centre-back, a left-sided centre-back as well as a left-back. His versatility will be an added bonus for Howe and Newcastle if they manage to secure his services.
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The defender is being closely followed by other clubs like Lyon, Marseille and Southampton as well. It remains to be seen whether Newcastle can convince the player to snub the advances from the other clubs and move to St. James’ Park. The reported asking price should be affordable for most clubs. So Newcastle must look to convince the player to join them first.
