Barely a window has gone by in recent years without the Celtic target being linked with one Britsh-based club or another.
Premier League giants Liverpool and Newcastle United were mentioned around the time that he captained his club to league glory in 2022. HITC, meanwhile, understands that Scottish Premiership leaders Celtic are now looking at the title-winning skipper with one of Brendan Rodgers’ own key men on his way out of Parkhead.
Joe Hart‘s imminent retirement means Celtic have little choice but to enter the market for a new shot-stopper. Now, finding a goalkeeper capable of offsetting the loss of Hart – who’s experience and enduring quality even at the age of 37 has come in so handy during yet another title charge – may be easier said than done.
But it’s not impossible.
Celtic need a goalkeeper to replace Joe Hart
While Liverpool’s Coamhin Kelleher remains Celtic’s first-choice to take Hart’s place, there is also interest in one Ugurucan Cakir.
Like Hart, Cakir knows how to thrive in the heat of a title fight. He, as we mentioned earlier, was the captain of the Trabzonspor side who ended their 38-year wait for Super Lig success a couple of seasons back.
Cakir has been labelled a ‘world-class talent’ by some back home in Turkey too. And, at the age of 28, he should be entering his prime. A potential bargain at a reported fee of £7.5 million, even if that remains a hefty sum indeed even for Scotland’s most deep-pocketed club.
But how do Trabzonspor feel about the prospect of losing a man who skippered them to their only league title since the mid-1980s? Well, despite the fact his contract is not due to expire until 2027, it appears that the team from the banks of the Black Sea have few plans to stand in his way.
In fact, Turkish publication Internet Haber go as far as to suggest that the decision has been made already, and that Cakir will be allowed to go. Trabzonspor have reportedly met with a potential replacement, too. Altay Bayindir, Cakir’s main rival for the starting spot in the Turkish national team, could be set to take his place at Papara Park.
Manchester United could open the door for Celtic
Bayindir, the former Fenerbahce glovesman, only joined Manchester United last summer.
But after featuring only once – against fourth-tier Newport County in the FA Cup – and with United reportedly looking at Columbus Crew’s Patrick Schulte as a potential successor, it would not come as a massive shock if Bayindir were to depart, even if HITC understands that the Red Devils are currently very happy with their seldom-seen number two.
Celtic, meanwhile, have also been linked with Bournemouth’s Kilmarnock loanee Will Dennis and Michael Zetterer of Werder Bremen. Cakir, however, possesses a proven track record when it comes to winning silverware, and should also be that little bit more affordable than Kelleher.
“Ugurcan is a world-class goalkeeper, in my opinion,” Trabzonspor hero Ali Kemal Denizci said after that Super Lig-winning campaign.
“The market value of Ugurcan Cakir (should be) no less than 50 million dollars. An ordinary offer cannot be accepted. If Ugurcan goes in a team in Europe, believe me, there will be an offer of 50 million dollars.