Middlesbrough is looking to sign Turkish midfielder Berat Özdemir.
Boro’s bid for midfielder Berat Özdemir fell short of Saudi Arabian club Al-Ettifaq’s asking fee, according to Turkish magazine Kuzey Ekspres.
Özdemir played last season on loan at Trabzonspor and represented Turkey’s national squad for the first time since 2021 in a friendly against Italy in June. Middlesbrough reportedly bid just under £2 million ($2.5 million = £1.98 million) for the 26-year-old, while Spanish club Osasuna offered over £3 million.
Both proposals did not reach Al-Ettifaq’s valuation of the player, which is thought to be around £4 million.
Middlesbrough has made an offer for Al-Ettifaq midfielder Berat Özdemir, who has only one year left on his contract with the Saudi Pro League club after signing from Trabzonspor in 2022.
Boro manager Michael Carrick clearly believes he would be a beneficial addition to his team. This summer, the 42-year-old has brought in three new signings: Luke Ayling, Delano Burgzorg, and Aidan Morris.
Morris was bought from Columbus Crew to help Middlesbrough’s midfield, but it appears that Carrick wants further reinforcements in that area of the play. A decision was made early in the summer not to pursue the permanent signing of Lewis O’Brien, after the midfielder spent last season on loan at the Riverside from Nottingham Forest. Now, it has become apparent that Boro have instead set their sights on targets from across the world, following Morris’ arrival from the USA and their bid for Özdemir. Carrick will hope that his business this summer is enough to bridge the gap to the play-offs next season, after Boro finished eighth in the Championship last season. What would
Berat Özdemir bring to Boro? Özdemir is primarily a defensive midfielder who likes to break up play and recycle possession to start attacks. The 26-year-old should not find it difficult to adapt to the Championship, having played 128 games in the physical Turkish Süper Lig, especially when you consider his combative playing style on the pitch. He is strong in the tackle, good in the air and capable of spreading the play with long passes. He is entering the prime of his career, and Boro will hope that the prospect of helping them gain promotion to the Premier League is enough to convince him to join the club. Özdemir has four caps for his country, and Kuzey Ekspres explained that signing for a team in a competitive division is extremely important to him as he aims to force his way back into the national team.
The versatile midfielder, who spent last season on loan at Trabzonspor, was called up to Turkey’s UEFA European Championship qualifier against Wales in November but did not play.
He played for his country for the first time since 2021, coming off the bench in a friendly against Italy before of the Euro 2024 tournament in Germany. The midfielder was left out of the tournament’s final squad, but he definitely wants to return to the team.
To get Özdemir, Middlesbrough must boost their offer and outbid Osasuna. However, he would be a valuable acquisition if the deal can be completed.
Leave a Reply