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Rumours like this are always to be taken with a pinch of salt, but Leeds United winger turned left-back Ezgjan Alioski has been linked with a move away from the club by Turkish outlet Fotomac.
The potential move is to Galatasaray, a name that will cause an immediate revulsion to Leeds fans, but if it happens this should not be treated like the news of Harry Kewell moving there, this would not be a betrayal, it would just be someone continuing a football career.
alioski to Gala will run and run as it’s easy clicks and discussion for obvious reasons
— ⓓⓔⓐⓝ (@deancore) January 27, 2021
will alioski be a regular starter next season? will he be happy to be backup? is this one last big payday? can we tie him down?
these are all questions and easy clicks.
Galatasaray have been playing loanee Marcelo Saracchi at left-back but he is not expected to move permanently from RB Leipzig and the report says that his replacement will be Alioski.
There were strong rumours of Alioski signing a new deal through November and early December, but those very suddenly went quiet. His current deal expires at the end of this season so he would be free to leave at the end of the season under the Bosman ruling, and he can start negotiating with clubs outside England immediately as he is in the last six months of his deal.
Despite my criticisms of him, I wouldn’t sell Alioski this season. No way.
— I Hate Leeds (@ihatelufc) January 27, 2021
A utility player, full of energy and one we never criticise for failing to put the effort in.
Out of position lots - sure. But a fairly decent crosser of the ball and his legs will be vital.
The report says the reason he hasn’t signed a new deal is the potential move to Turkey. Again, pinch of salt. It also states that he is one of the lowest paid players in the Premier League. Given when he signed his deal, it is likely that for someone playing the amount of football he has in the Premier League this season, his wage will be low compared to others in similar situations.
This is purely an opinion, but as much as I like Alioski I think this season probably should be his last at Leeds - at least as a player who plays regularly.
He puts in lots of effort but I personally don’t think he is at the level Leeds require and they should back themselves to be able to bring a better player into the squad to replace him, preferably and out-and-out left-back.
I would prefer him to go somewhere that isn’t Galatasaray, but he didn’t grow up a Leeds fan and he wasn’t here at the time. To him, they are just another club, and if they are offering him the best deal no Leeds fan should begrudge him going there.
Alioski is 29 next month so it could be that this next contract is the biggest one of his career. He will feel he deserves a big pay rise, and he also will want to go somewhere he thinks he will play a lot of football. Had Leeds not had so many injuries, Alioski would have played far fewer minutes than he has. Turkish football is known to pay huge wages and that has to be a factor for someone like Gjanni.
Would you want us to keep Alioski beyond this season? Are you ok with the potential destination? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter @ThruItAllLUFC.