Abdulkadir Omur has said that Manchester City were extremely interested in signing him in 2019.
Speaking to TRT Spor, the 24-year-old gave an insight into how close he was to joining Pep Guardiola’s side four years ago.
Trabzonspor midfielder Abdulkadir Omur reveals that and more about how likely it was that he could have ended up donning the Manchester City strip.
Abdulkadir Omur tells-all on failed Manchester City transfer in 2019
Until quite recently, another Turkish talent that caught City’s eye was now-Real Madrid attacker Arda Guler, as the treble-winners privately rated his potential.
The Sky Blues tend to scour Europe and beyond to sign some of the biggest and best up-and-coming prospects, as indicated by how much of a success Julian Alvarez has been.
Now, Abdulkadir Omur has also given an insight into how interested Manchester City were in securing his services in 2019.
“Just as Arda Guler went to Real Madrid, Manchester City wanted me.”
Abdulkadir Omur elaborated on how close he was to a transfer to Manchester City and why it eventually fell through, saying, “There was an offer of €26 million (£22 million). Jokingly, I said to our president; ‘Let me go’. He did not allow me [to join Manchester City]. Four or five days after the offer, I got injured. It was bad. I wonder what would have happened if I went to Manchester City at that time.”
“My agents [deal with the] transfer business. If an offer comes, [my agent] will present it to the club. If there is any development, you will be informed.”
Likely that Manchester City were interested
Considering Abdulkadir Omur is not necessarily a big-name in the game, it is likely that many would not even believe his story about Manchester City being keen on his signature.
But at around 20 years old, Omur was regarded as one of Turkey’s most prodigious youngsters and with City’s scouts always being in touch with the youth football scene around the world, they must likely have seen something special in him.
Admittedly, a £22 million offer does sound unrealistically steep but perhaps that is how interested the Sky Blues really were at the time.
