Enes Unal’s agent Batur Altiparmak has spoken to BeinSportsTR about the transfer of the former Manchester City starlet to Villarreal.
The Turkish international enjoyed an impressive season with Dutch side FC Twente and his performances resulted in a permanent transfer to Villarreal for €12m.
Altiparmak said of the Manchester City exit: “Lots of clubs were after him. We had to think carefully. There are some teams from Germany and France and also some other teams in Spain, but we decided on Villarreal because they have been playing 4-4-2 since the 2012/13 season.”
Altiparmak was also asked about if Manchester City had a say in which team Unal joined: “No, not really. We were in constant communication since February. They said to us that you’re free to choose. In fact, City wanted to loan him out for another year. But if you go out on loan, then it means you’ll have to go to a weaker club.
“We told City that selling him might make sense. They said to us if we sell him then it has to include a buyback clause because we believe he has a part to play at City for the future, and then we put a buyback clause in the deal.”
The former Bursaspor academy product will now play alongside Cedric Bakambu at Villarreal, whom he admired as a player while the pair were at the Turkish club. It was from Bursaspor that Manchester City signed Unal from in 2015.
Manchester City’s buyback clause can be activated after two seasons.
