Turkey's goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir is seen during the friendly under-21 football match between France and Turkey at the Robert Diochon stadium in the northwestern city of Le Petit-Quevilly, northwestern France on October 12, 2018. (Getty Images)
According to the Sabah newspaper (h/t Examiner Live), Sheffield United have tabled a £13.5million bid for the Trabzonspor goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.
However, the Turkish side have rejected the Blades’ offer as they hope to receive a sum at least close to £20million for their prized asset. Cakir, meanwhile, has been in sensational form for Trabzonspor last season, helping them win the Turkish Cup, while also finishing as runners-up in the league.
The 24-year-old is also a Turkish international and has to date featured twice for them after making his debut in May last year. With Cakir’s performances between the sticks improving with time, he has been in recent times the subject of transfer interest from Sheffield, who are on the lookout for a new keeper.
Cakir, who has attracted interest from the Blades in the past is still under their radar and the side’s recent bid for the Turkish international just proves it further.
Meanwhile, Blades boss Chris Wilder is keen on resolving the goalkeeper situation at Bramall Lane, with uncertainty still surrounding the future of Dean Henderson. The Englishman, who has been Sheffield’s first-choice keeper in the last two seasons, returned to his parent club Manchester United recently after the end of his two-year loan spell.
The 23-year-old Henderson had played a key role in helping the Blades earn Premier League promotion after emerging as Championship winners in the 2018-19 season. He was equally impressive this season as well, keeping 13 clean sheets and helping them finish 9th in the league rankings in their first season in the top-flight.
Now with Henderson gone and his availability a question mark, Sheffield are in need of an established keeper to guard their posts next season. Henderson’s departure has left them with just three goalkeepers – Michael Verrips, Simon Moore and recent arrival Wes Foderingham at their disposal.
However, Verrips and Moore together featured just five times for the Blades this past season, while newcomer Foderingham is yet to make his debut.
That said, Sheffield’s continued interest in Cakir makes complete sense and they should try to land him. Signing an established keeper such as Cakir seems like the safest option for Sheffield at the moment.
Henderson’s uncertain future has left Sheffield United with a huge void to be filled and who better than Cakir, who has impressed both at club and country level. By all means, his addition will only offer boss Wilder plenty of options next season. Moreover, Cakir is only 24 and can develop his game further under Wilder’s guidance.
