Trabzonspor ‘to sign’ Cenk as Valencia near exit | OneFootball

Cenk Özkacar is close to finalising a move from Valencia to Trabzonspor this week, ending the 25-year-old centre-back’s spell at Mestalla after loans at Valladolid and Cologne.

According to SporDepor, the Papara Park side have moved ahead of Schalke 04 and Besiktas by tabling a superior offer to buy him outright.

Valencia paid 5 million to Lyon in summer 2023 after an underwhelming loan under Gennaro Gattuso and Rubén Baraja, but the German club declined a permanent deal.

The Spaniards are set to recover only a small part of that outlay, while shedding his wages and the annual task of finding new destinations. He had been under contract until 2028.

Pending medical tests and an official unveiling, he leaves having made 46 competitive appearances for Valencia.

His departure, following Eray Cömert’s exit at the end of his deal, opens a squad slot but heightens the need for a new centre-back alongside Justin de Haas, César Tárrega and the injured José Copete.

Valencia’s hierarchy intend to move on Mouctar Diakhaby, then target a right-sided centre-back to give Carlos Corberán more options.

Source: Superdeporte