According to a recent report by the Turkish news outlet, Sabah (translated by Sport Witness), Liverpool made an offer of €15m for Trabzonspor keeper Ugurcan Cakir. However, the same source has also revealed that the Turkish club has decided to reject the Reds’ advances for their prized asset as they want to keep him in their squad at least until the current season draws to a close next summer.
Cakir’s Remarkable Rise In Turkey
The 23-year-old is currently sidelined due to an ankle injury, but he has enjoyed an impressive campaign in the Turkish Super Lig thus far. Cakir has performed at a high level since the start of this season and has made some important stops for his team.
The Trabzonspor academy graduate has featured in 24 matches for the Super Lig outfit this term, shipping in 30 goals while securing just two clean sheets across all competitions. Even though he has not let in too many goals at the back, there are some concerns over his lack of clean sheets at the Şenol Güneş Stadium.
The Antalya-born shot-stopper has only made 56.4% of his attempted passes in the Turkish top-flight, which is also a worry (stats via whoscored). He has also earned two international caps for the Turkish national side so far.
What Are The Turkish Youngster’s Strengths?
Cakir boasts quick reflexes and is not shy of throwing himself to the ground to try and make some crucial saves for the benefit of his team. He can read the game well and can be a reliable keeper in between the sticks when playing with confidence on the pitch.
Will Cakir Be A Good Option For The Reigning Champions Of The World?
The Turkish prospect is nowhere near the level of Liverpool’s first-choice goalie Alisson Becker, who (on current form) is considered amongst the best keepers in European football. However, Cakir has what it takes to be a worthy deputy to Alisson at Anfield. He has shown tremendous maturity through his eye-catching performances in the top tier of Turkey this season.
Therefore, Jurgen Klopp’s side can benefit from acquiring a keeper of Cakir’s potential as he will only improve his game each year. With Adrian heading into the twilight years of his playing career, the Trabzonspor goalie could be a decent choice for the European champions but only if they intend to use him sporadically in the coming years.
