Enes Unal’s loan move to Bournemouth will be made permanent this summer, with a clause in the agreement triggered after his impressive performance against Brighton.
The Turkish striker, who arrived from Getafe in February, is set to cost the Cherries around £14.1 million.
READ: Who is Arda Guler? The 18-year-old ‘Turkish Messi’ Wanted by Europe’s Biggest Clubs
Cherries manager Andoni Iraola told the BBC after the game that the move is going to be permanent: “Yes, it (the loan) is going to be permanent.
“I am really happy, especially with his attitude, how he is integrating on the pitch and off the pitch.
“I think it is a very good signing for us.”
He added: “He has been pushing a lot. It has been a difficult situation for him, because it is always difficult to take minutes from Dom Solanke.
“(On Sunday) we decided to play with two up front.
“He had a very clear chance in the first half, but also he was involved in the first goal, very good at attacking the corner.
“I am happy because he scored a really nice goal in the second half.”
While primarily used as a substitute throughout his loan spell, Unal earned his first Premier League start on Sunday. He didn’t disappoint, contributing a goal and an assist in the convincing 3-0 victory.
This brings his total tally to two goals and he has also provided two assists in 14 appearances for Bournemouth.
Unal’s career path is a well-traveled one. After starting with Bursaspor in his native Turkey, he went on to play for Manchester City (though never making a senior appearance), Genk, NAC Breda, FC Twente, Villarreal, Levante, and Real Valladolid before landing at Getafe in 2020.
There, he found his scoring boots, netting 36 goals in 109 appearances. His performances even earned him a call-up to the Turkish national team for the 2021 European Championships.
Bournemouth seems to have found a valuable attacking asset in Unal, and with the permanent transfer now confirmed, they’ll be hoping he can continue his impressive form next season.
