Wolves face Championship battle for bargain midfielder Leeds can’t buy
Reports claim Wolves and Watford are set to go head to head in a battle to sign Celta Vigo midfielder Okay Yokuslu this summer.
The 27-year-old is known to Premier League fans after spending the second half of last season on loan with West Brom. Sam Allardyce brought him to the Hawthorns in the winter as the Baggies looked for a spark to save their season. The Turkey international saw plenty of action, with 15 starts and 16 top-flight appearances.
He was unable to perform a rescue act as the West Midlanders suffered relegation but it seems as though he caught the eye. Leeds United and Crystal Palace have both been linked and appeared set to make an offer.
However, Leeds director of football Victor Orta recently suggested it will be tough for the Whites to sign the Turk.
“It is politically difficult for Leeds to sign Okay Yokuslu,” he told Radio Galega.
The transfer guru was speaking about the club’s relationship with Turkey and Turkish players. Two Leeds supporters were stabbed to death prior to the UEFA Cup semi-final against Galatasaray in 2000.
The Palace link also appears to have gone cold and that is surprising given the player’s value. He has two years left on his current deal with Celta but is available for only £5m.
That is small change in today’s market and will surely see him leave the Spanish club. Sky Sports (via sportslens) are reporting that the Black Country outfit and Hornets are now battling for his signature.
Yokuslu could add steel to Wolves engine room
The man with 35 Turkey caps is a defensive-minded midfielder who puts in plenty of work. He is not afraid to put his foot in and has energy to burn throughout the 90 minutes.
Scoring goals is a bonus but he has found the net 25 times in his career. Now back in Spain, Yokuslu has been told he has no future at Balaidos.
And his comments towards the end of last season suggest a return to England is a distinct possibility.
“Perhaps the structure of the Premier League, the culture and the habits of the country may be more suitable for me, but I think the language of football is unique,” he said.
It is open to debate how much game time he would see with the Molineux outfit. Therefore Vicarage Road and a move to the Championship may appeal.
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