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According to a report from Ajanspor journalist Salim Manav, Tottenham Hotspur are set to scout two Turkish talents in the upcoming round of Super Lig fixtures.
The lowdown: Targets collide
It will be a mid-table battle when Besiktas face Kasimpasa on Monday night (April 25), but there could be a sub-plot to proceedings as two opposing left-backs – Ridvan Yilmaz and Eren Elmali – vie for superiority on the night.
Yilmaz of Besiktas is the younger of the two at 20-years-old and has already represented Turkey at the senior international level, whilst 21-year-old Elmali remains an Under 21 representative.
As they prepare to do battle, it’s been suggested that eyes from the Premier League and Serie A could be watching with intent…
The latest: Spurs send scouts
As per the report from Ajanspor which has been cited on Twitter by Manav, Tottenham and Atalanta are believed to be preparing to watch the Turkish top-flight encounter.
“Tottenham and Atalanta officials will watch Eren Elmali and Ridvan Yilmaz in the Beşiktaş-Kasımpaşa match,” the journalist tweeted.
Expanding in the article, it’s claimed Spurs officials ‘will report’ on both Yilmaz and Elmali as Antonio Conte and Fabio Paratici begin to earmark potential summer transfer targets.
Yilmaz – who made a come-and-get-me plea to Arsenal in 2021 – has been capped six times by the Turkey national team and was previously given a reported £8.35million asking price amidst interest from Leicester City, Torino and VfB Stuttgart.
The verdict: Smart move
Whilst neither youngster can boast a plethora of top-level experience with a combined 124 career outings in the Super Lig, both would represent value for money given the respective ages and likely affordable transfer fees.
Elmali holds a perceived market value of just £1.62million (Transfermarkt), making the Istanbul-born starlet the more attainable financial option compared to his compatriot.
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But, with three goals and four assists in 30 appearances this season, Yilmaz’s ability to play as both a conventional left-back and in a more advanced role makes the Besiktas ace a preferable choice to suit Conte’s chosen 3-4-3 formation at present.
When comparing the youngster to current Lilywhites star Sergio Reguilon, Yilmaz actually outperforms the Spaniard in every available aspect on average per 90 minutes (Fbref), albeit in a weaker league.
Described as a ‘very smart’ operator by national team manager Stefan Kuntz, early indications would point to the Besiktas starlet being the preferred option to arrive at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer.
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