Okay Yokuslu, a midfielder for West Bromwich Albion, is wanted back in his native country, which means the team will have another opportunity to cash in on him this summer, according to the most recent reports. Under the direction of former Sunderland, Leeds United, and Blackburn Rovers manager Sam Allardyce, the Turkey international moved to The Hawthorns on loan for the second half of the 2020–21 season while the Baggies were still in the Premier League. However, despite some strong performances in the midfield, Yokuslu was unable to keep the West Midlands team in the top division and eventually returned to his parent club Celta Vigo.
However, Yokuslu signed a three-year contract to return to West Brom permanently in the summer of 2022 after spending one more season in Galicia. The defensive midfielder won player of the year for the 2022–2023 season and became a fan favorite, even though the team was never able to return to the top division of English football.
When the summer transfer window was almost over in September, it was said that European powerhouse Galatasaray were eager to get him back to the Turkish Super Lig. However, his agent, Batur Altıparmak, acknowledged that his client was content at West Bromwich Albion, where head coach Carlos Corberan was in charge.
Some Turkish clubs enquired as well, but we wouldn’t accept anything unless there was an
However, Turkish outlet HaberTS revealed during the recent January transfer window that Yokuslu had become a top target for Trabzonspor and would likely leave West Brom before the winter market closed at the beginning of February.
Nevertheless, a deal never came to fruition but Sports Digitale are now reporting that Trabzonspor are set to try again to sign the 30-year-old who has entered into the final 12 months of his contract with the Baggies. This is the club’s final chance to sell him before potentially losing the defensive-minded player for free at the end of the 2024/25 season. Additionally, Yokuslu boasts a market value of £2.5 million, as per Transfermarkt.
Writer’s View
It seems likely that West Bromwich Albion will sell the experienced midfielder this summer. Yokuslu was a key player under Corberan last season, making 48 appearances in all competitions but the club risk losing him for nothing in a year if they fail to cash in before the transfer window shuts in August.
Furthermore, the new ownership have already allowed the likes of Matt Phillips, Erik Pieters, Yann M’Vila, Martin Kelly, Nathaniel Chalobah and Adam Reach to leave the club this summer as they are looking to reduce the squad’s average age. Now on the wrong side of 30, Yokuslu could be the next out the door.
