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Stop me if you've heard this one before. First, it was the summer of 2015 and Sporting Kansas City were apparently targeting a transfer for Galatasaray's Yasin Oztekin. Then, last February, right after the Krisztian Nemeth transfer, the rumors kicked up again. The rumor mill has struck again today.
Apparently Oztekin has been left out of the squad due to disciplinary reasons and is rumored to be headed to Sporting Kansas City, as well as Rubin Kazan from Russia, a team in Azerbaijan and another from the Qatar Stars League (ie. where Nemeth ended up last season).
While last season the rumor appeared to be a transfer for €3 million (about $3.1 million) this time it might be for much less, possibly €1.4 million (my Google translate is struggling). While the €1.4 million number is more palatable, it would be a bit surprising. There is the much rumored Gerso Fernandes signing still lingering out there for €1.5 million. Sporting KC aren't known for paying transfer fees (though Robb Heineman indicated they are open to it) and then suddenly they'd pay two in one offseason.
Also if the team were to sign two wingers, where does that leave Graham Zusi? He's one of the highest paid players on the team and he plays the same position as Fernandes and Oztekin (not to mention the other rumored signing, Latif Blessing). Could this mean a permanent move to the right back spot for Zusi? He he was experimented with in that position last year. Or could it mean he is on his way out? I'm sure Minnesota United could use a splashy US Men's National Team signing to bolster attention to their team.
As for Oztekin, he's a 29-year-old (30 in March) German who came up in the prestigious Borussia Dortmund system. Oztekin made 110 appearances for Borussia Dortmund II but only appeared once for the senior club. After spending about 10 years in Germany Oztekin has played for several teams in the Turkish League.
Galatasaray paid a €2.5 million transfer fee back in 2014 and signed him to a four-year contract. That would mean he likely has about a year and a half left on his current deal, though that could always be renegotiated. It appears that Oztekin is a true winger, which would be a change for SKC who likes to play wide midfielders or converted center forwards out wide. Just imagine two actual wingers flanking Dom Dwyer. But don't get too excited, it is just silly season after all.