Tottenham, Liverpool, Manchester United: Why have you not made a move for Nuri Sahin?
August 13, 2012 5 Comments
With the 2012-13 Premier League season less than a week away, the top six have strengthened their squads ahead of the new campaign. However, a number of the biggest sides, such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham, still remain in the market for a creative central midfielder. Given the fact that Nuri Sahin is openly available, why have one of these teams not snapped him up?
The Turkey international moved to the Santiago Bernabeu last summer after a spectacular 2010-11 season in leading Borussia Dortmund to the Bundesliga title. However, injuries and extreme competition in the centre of midfield in the Spanish capital have seen the talented 23-year-old only make a handful of appearances for Los Blancos to date.
Jose Mourinho has Xabi Alonso, Sami Khedira, Kaka, Lassana Diarra and Esteban Granero fighting for a berth in the engine room, and continues to covet Luka Modric. Due to the dearth of talent the Portuguese trainer has admitted that he will not stand in Sahin’s way should an alternative offer of employment arrive.
The old adage that form is temporary whilst class is permanent remains true in this case. A year ago Sahin was one of the hottest transfer prospects in the European game and the star of a young Dortmund team that had dazzled in a scintillating domestic campaign. He was awarded the Bundesliga Player of the Year award for his guile, eye for a killer pass and energy around the park. These characteristics may have been out of the limelight but are still present.
At the time of writing Tottenham look destined to lose a wantaway Modric to Madrid; Spurs could take Sahin at an excellent price as a ready-made replacement, as the Spaniards struggle to meet the north London club’s exuberant financial demands.
Manchester United have missed out on Paris Saint-Germain-bound Lucas Moura and still cry out for a new deep-lying playmaker to take over the mantle from the evergreen Paul Scholes. Surely Sahin, who was linked with a move to Old Trafford 12 months ago, would fit the bill?
Finally, Brendan Rodgers is eager to instill a footballing ethos at Anfield; a midfield arsenal of Lucas Leiva, Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard and Sahin would surely be one to rival any of the other top teams.
Sahin is currently being scouted by AC Milan, and is thought to be available on loan. Mourinho has admitted that he will not block a permanent move that offers the playmaker regular first-team football; so what’s the hold up?
Published – Bleacher Report
About Gareth McKnight
I’m sure BR knows about Sahin but I think Liverpool need a stricker and winger more than a attacking midfielder, hopefully if the rumours are correct Ramirez seems to be on the radar which would be a better signing, one it’s permanent and two he can play on wing or as attacking midfielder
The reason no one has bid for Sahin is that when he was linked as a makeweight in the Modric deal he openly said that he wanted to stay at Real Madrid! As much as Real would like for him to go elsewhere he is content to try and make his way into the team, baffling, I know. If i were him I would jump at the chance to swap with Modric and have a guaranteed starting place in one of the Premier Leagues best teams.
If he’s that good, don’t know why Spurs didn’t snap him up a couple of months ago when Real Madrid was offering him as a top-up, almost as an afterthought, maybe on top of 25 mil quid. At the time most Spurs fans were squeezing their noses in disgust even at the thought.
Simple answer: he wants to stay and fight for his place at Real Madrid and you cannot force a player to sign on the dotted line!
He is Arsenal bound fullstop!