Manchester United are keeping tabs on Fenerbahce starlet Yusuf Akcicek
With less than a week left in the summer transfer window, Manchester United are aware that they need to act swiftly to secure any deals.
The Red Devils have spent big to upgrade their front line this summer, bringing in the likes of Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko. They have gone all out to address their biggest concern of last season, i.e. scoring goals. Now, INEOS have shifted their focus towards getting a new goalkeeper.
Royal Antwerp’s Senne Lammens is in talks to join Manchester United. The Belgian goalkeeper is poised to make the switch to Old Trafford, having been absent from Royal Antwerp’s weekend league fixture against Mechelen. In addition to Lammens, INEOS may surprise many fans by making a late swoop for a centre-back.
Manchester United are monitoring Fenerbahce’s Turkish defender Yusuf Akcicek
Man United keeping close tabs on Fenerbahce defender
According to a report from Turkish publication Sabah (h/t Sport Witness), Man United are keeping tabs on Fenerbahce centre-back Yusuf Akcicek. Their Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur have also shown an interest in the player.
Both Man United and Spurs sent their scouts to watch Yusuf Akcicek in action last season. A product of the Galatasaray academy, the defender joined Fenerbahce’s academy in 2019 and was promoted to the first team in 2023. He enjoyed his breakout season in Fenerbahce colours last term, making 20 appearances. The Turkish Under-21 international’s rise in stature has caught the attention of several clubs across Europe.
The aforementioned report (h/t Sport Witness) adds the Turkish club would be open to selling Akcicek for around €20m this summer. However, it is unlikely for United to offer money close to that valuation before next week’s transfer deadline.
Ruben Amorim has been backed in the transfer market by INEOS
Ruben Amorim has revamped his forward unit this summer
A late move for Akcicek looks unlikely
It should not come as a surprise that United are not planning to meet Fenerbahce’s €20m valuation of Akcicek. This is due to the club’s focus in bolstering other departments of the squad, with Ruben Amorim having plenty of options in central defence.
Even without Lisandro Martinez, Amorim has the likes of Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui at his disposal. If there would have been sufficient funds to spend, a move for Akcicek would have made sense.
Strong in the air, good on the ball and tenacious in the challenge, the Turk is an exciting prospect with a bright future in the game. It looks difficult for the Yellow Canaries to keep hold of the teenager for long, with several European bigwigs keeping tabs since last season. For now, however, the Red Devils must continue monitoring his performances with the hope of signing Akcicek in 2026. Hopefully, he stays at Fenerbahce until then.