The Fenerbahce goalkeeper is being considered as a possible target
Leeds United are allegedly interested in Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir as a potential long-term replacement for Illan Meslier.
Altay Bayindir is a person.
After joining the club as a youth in 2019, the 25-year-old has evolved into a powerful ‘keeper for his current side in recent years. Last season, he started 26 games in the Turkish Super Lig and eight times in the Europa League, establishing himself as a significant player.
Bayindir has also made an impression on the international stage, having won five caps for Turkey to date, and given his age, it would be surprising if that number didn’t rise as the years pass. He signed a new contract with Fenerbahce in March that will keep him at the club until 2027, indicating that the team intends to keep him.
As Leeds prepare to return to the Championship in 2023/24, there is a chance that they will attempt to bring in a replacement for Meslier if their present No.1 leaves during the current transfer window. Joel Robles has also moved on, emphasizing the importance of reinforcements.
Could Altay Bayindir join Leeds?
Leeds have launched a £4.3m bid for Bayindir, according to Marca on Twitter [via MOT Leeds News], but Fenerbahce are asking £6m for his services, which would trigger his release clause:
“Leeds United made an official offer of €5 million to Fenerbahce for goalkeeper Altay Bayindir, 25.” Fenerbahce wants the player’s €7 million release clause met.”
Bayindir might be a solid substitute for Meslier at Leeds this summer, coming in as an eye-catching signing given that he is an international goalkeeper prepared to drop down a level and play in English football’s second division.
With that part of the pitch being so valuable, the Whites will require a powerful presence between the sticks if they are to be one of the Championship promotion favourites in 2023/24. The Fenerbahce star, who has lots of experience and won the Turkish Cup last season, could be that man for Daniel Farke.
At 25, Bayindir is also considered a long-term signing who has the potential to develop further in the coming years, rather than a quick fix who can do a job in the latter stages of his career. The ideal scenario would be for him to join Leeds in the next weeks, inspire them to a quick return to the Premier League, and then be their uncontested No. 1 for the foreseeable future.
The fact that his release clause is relatively low helps the Whites, assuming they are willing to raise their bid, so it is a transfer in which the positives easily outweigh the negatives, given the impact he could potentially make at Elland Road, having been dubbed “one of the most interesting U-23 goalkeepers in Europe” by talent scout Jacek Kulig.
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