Baggies last chance to cash out on 30y/o best midfielder amid Trabzonspor interest -View

West Brom’s Predicament with Okay Yokuslu Amid Trabzonspor’s Interest

Okay Yokuslu is a key midfielder for West Bromwich Albion, whose current contract will expire at the end of the 2024/25 season. This summer might be West Brom’s last opportunity to sell him, as he will only have 12 months left on his contract. Trabzonspor, a Turkish football club, is interested in re-signing Yokuslu, as confirmed by reports from the Express and Star and Turkish outlet Sports Digitale.

Okay Yokuslu’s Value and West Brom’s Dilemma

West Brom fan pundit Matt Smith has expressed that Yokuslu’s importance to the team surpasses any potential transfer fee the club might receive. Smith argues that losing both Yokuslu and another key player, Alex Mowatt, would be detrimental to the team’s promotion ambitions. He stresses the need to retain at least one of these midfielders for the upcoming season.

Smith’s Perspective on the Transfer

Smith acknowledges the club’s financial constraints and the realistic valuation of Yokuslu, who is now 30 years old. He estimates a transfer fee between £2 million and £4 million. Despite this, Smith hopes Yokuslu will remain with West Brom, given his significant contributions both on loan and permanently.

Yokuslu’s Career and Potential Future

Yokuslu has a substantial history with Trabzonspor, where he played from 2015 to 2018, making 106 appearances. At West Brom, he has played 105 matches, scored five goals, and provided two assists. His primary role is to offer defensive stability as the deepest midfielder in a double-pivot system.

Career Statistics (as per Transfermarkt, 28/06/2024)

– Altay: 35 appearances, 4 goals, 0 assists

– Kayserispor: 111 appearances, 8 goals, 5 assists

– Trabzonspor: 106 appearances, 10 goals, 7 assists

– Celta Vigo: 81 appearances, 2 goals, 2 assists

– Getafe: 11 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists

– West Bromwich Albion: 105 appearances, 5 goals, 2 assists

– Turkey: 41 appearances, 1 goal, 2 assists

Conclusion

Given his contract situation, Yokuslu might leave West Brom this summer, especially with interest from his homeland and one of the top clubs in the Süper Lig. Despite his age, his skills in disrupting play and building from deep make him an attractive option for many European clubs.