Real Madrid face competition from Brighton for next Turkish wonderkid
Tom Weber
- Updated: 16 Oct 2023 18:43 BST
- 4 min read
Real Madrid and Brighton are keeping tabs on 16-year-old Turkish wonderkid Yasir Boz, according to a report.
Los Blancos snapped up the biggest Turkish sensation the world has seen in several years in the summer when they signed Arda Guler from Fenerbahce for €20 million. The 18-year-old hasn't yet played for Real as injuries have kept him on the treatment table, but once fit, he is expected to feature prominently for his new side.
While a lot of the headlines have understandably been about Guler, there may already be the 'next Guler' waiting in the wings, and he is also plying his trade at Fenerbahce. Yasir Boz has scored twice for Fener in the Turkish U19 league this season - and he's only 16 years of age.
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In fact, he only turned 16 on October 3. The winger is impressing in the Istanbul giants' youth system and he is already being eyed by several big sides.
Fenerbahçe Akademisi gururla sunar 2007 doğumlu YASİR BOZ pic.twitter.com/TmWAGQEpqW
— EL-MATADOR (@El_Matador2127) June 16, 2023
Real, Brighton want Boz
That's at least according to TEAMtalk, which writes that Brighton and Real are among the clubs keeping a keen eye on Boz's development. Fener rate the youngster so highly that they swiftly moved to tie him to a professional deal shortly after turning 16 in a bid to fend off interest.
At this point, it is clear that if Brighton's recruitment team is looking at you, you must be doing something right and the above-mentioned report confirms that many expect Boz to be Turkish football's next superstar.
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However, despite the Seagulls' stunning track record of developing talent, Real Madrid could boast an advantage given that they have a solid relationship with Fenerbahce, which aided them in their pursuit of Guler, who was also heavily courted by - and indeed, at one point, expected to join - Barcelona.
Boz's new deal runs until 2026 and clubs will be expected to shell out a pretty penny if they wish to recruit him, though staying in Turkey for a while longer could do wonders for his development. Remaining in a familiar environment for a further year is the path that Guler chose and it paid off handsomely for him and Fenerbahce.
