Cengiz Under’s agent Omer Uzun has spoken to BeinSportsTR about his client’s imminent transfer to Roma. The Serie A side are on the verge of signing the Turkish international from Medipol Basaksehir for €15m, after Manchester City missed out on the player.
Uzon explained how Roma tipped the balance in their favour: “Manchester City also wanted to sign Cengiz and they have met with Basaksehir, but they saw him as an investment rather than a first team player. Roma wants him to fill the void left by Mohamed Salah and we feel he will be more valued at Roma.
“City’s project was very clear. They wanted to sign Cengiz, then loan him to another club for 2 years just like what they did to Enes Unal. They had reached an agreement with Bundesliga side Freiburg. But Cengiz wants a more difficult challenge and Monchi’s desire was very clear to get him.”
Manchester City officials held talks with Basaksehir’s leaders for four hours last week, with the Turkish club wanting €15m, and City offering €9m. Due to Basaksehir having an agreement to give Under’s last club 30% of the transfer fee, the Turkish side wanted €15m so they’d come out of the deal with €10m.
Manchester City had also offered Basaksehir a working partnership, which would have involved academy players being loaned to the Turkish club from the Premier League side.
It was expected Manchester City would hold further talks to sign the winger, but this week Roma came in for the youngster and have been more persuasive.
