Man United & Man City battle over 16 year old wonder-kid Serkan Bakan
Turkish football has finally started exporting players on a consistent basis to major European leagues over the past few seasons.
First it was Enes Unal to Manchester City aged 18, followed by Caglar Soyuncu to Freiburg at the age of 19.
Cengiz Under meanwhile, celebrated his 20th birthday becoming the most expensive Turkish international export from the Super Lig when he joined Roma for €14.9 million.
Could Serkan Bakan be the next high profile departure from Turkey?
The 16-year-old Gaziantepspor attacking midfielder made Super Lig history last season, becoming the youngest player to ever score a goal in top-flight Turkish football.
Not content with one scoring record he shattered another as well last season.
Bakan scored against Kirklarelispor in the Turkish Cup when he was aged 15 and netted in the 4-1 Super Lig defeat against Antalyaspor to become the youngest scorer in both competitions.
Bakan’s representative Ibrahim Polat told Eren Sarigul of Turkish-Football that Manchester United and Tottenham have been keeping tabs on the rising star in his latest piece for ESPN.
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“Manchester United and Manchester City have been scouting Bakan,” Polat said.
“Several clubs from Germany have also been keeping tabs following his debut season in the Super Lig.
“Despite being 15 years old he already has goals in the cup and league.
“Serkan is a special talent so it is natural for there to be a lot of interest.”
The Falcons were relegated from the Super Lig last season and could find it difficult to get Bakan to sign a professional contract deal when he turns 17 in January.
Enquiries have already been made for Bakan but he has yet to make a decision on his future.
Gaziantepspor would be able to offer him first-team football next season. The likes of Soyuncu and Under did play a season of second-tier football before getting big moves that put them on the map.
Bakan also has an impressive goal scoring record at international level netting four times in 11 appearances for Turkey at U15 through to U16 level.
