Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are reportedly among a gamut of clubs keen on signing 23-year-old Galatasaray forward Kerem Akturkoglu.
According to a report by Catalan outlet El Nacional, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are interested in Kerem Arkturkoglu. The two La Liga heavyweights are prepared to pay €14 million to secure the services of the Turkish forward from Galatasaray.
Kerem Arkturkoglu has been a journeyman ever since his youth playing days, having represented several clubs before finally landing at Galatasaray in September 2020. The move to Nef Stadyumu has done wonders to the 23-year-old’s career, and he has taken his game to the next level in the last 15 months.
Arkturkoglu has been enjoying a solid 2021/22 campaign, with six goals and five assists in 29 appearances across all competitions. While the player’s tally might not be all too impressive, some of the biggest clubs in Europe have taken note of his exploits. And the Turkish forwards has popped up on the radars of Barcelona and Atletico Madrid.
The Catalan giants have been forced to enter the market for multiple attacking reinforcements less than six months after signing Sergio Aguero, Memphis Depay and Yusuf Demir in the summer transfer window. That is because Aguero’s career has ended abruptly due to a heart condition, while Depay has blown hot and cold after a strong start to the season.
Meanwhile, Demir will not be signed permanently by Barcelona and will soon be on his way out of Camp Nou for good. In addition, Depay could be sold by Barcelona next summer, which explains the eagerness to sign a wide-attacker, with Marcus Rashford among those on their radar. And Arkturkoglu is also a viable target, although Atletico Madrid will also be in contention to sign him.
The interest from Atletico Madrid is understandable, as Joao Felix faces an uncertain future at the Wanda Metropolitano. Interestingly, the Portuguese forward has been linked with Barcelona apart from several other clubs. So, the reigning La Liga champions need to find a possible replacement, with Arkturkoglu a viable target.
The Turkish forward is primarily a left-winger but can also play as a second striker equally adeptly, thereby emerging as a viable option to replace Felix. According to El Nacional, Atletico Madrid and Barcelona are prepared to pay €14 million to snap up the 23-year-old, with Galatasaray demanding precisely the same amount for him.
In addition to Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, Everton, Southampton, and Bayer Leverkusen have also monitored Arkturkoglu’s progress. However, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid are the front-runners to sign the Galatasaray forward. It remains to be seen if either club can sign him in a €14 million deal anytime soon.
