Liverpool transfer news exclusive: Reports of £13m Ugurcan Cakir bid are wide of the mark Scores of outlets say Jurgen Klopp’s men have launched a bid for Trabzonspor goalkeeper but sources at club and in Turkey say it is not true

Liverpool have not submitted a bid for Ugurcan Cakir, according to sources close to the club and the player.

Cakir, 23, has been in impressive form for Trabzonspor since his emergence in 2018. One of the most highly rated young goalkeepers in Turkey, he made his national team debut last season and has helped to haul Trabzonspor to third in the Turkish Super Lig this term.

Despite reports that Liverpool have submitted a £13m bid for Cakir, however, i understands that there has been no official approach from the club. While the Reds had a minor goalkeeping crisis earlier in the season when both Alisson and Adrian picked up injuries, Liverpool feel they have enough cover between the sticks and intend to go into next season with the same keepers as first and second choice.

There is also the possibility of Loris Karius returning from his loan at Besiktas in the summer. His Liverpool contract runs until 2021, while, as things stand, Jurgen Klopp also has Caoimhin Kelleher as back-up.

Turkish clubs have struggled with debt in recent years, exacerbated by the 2018 lira crisis which saw the national currency decline sharply in value. That has led to clubs becoming more reliant on player sales, not least the ‘Big Four’ of Galatasaray, Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor who, thanks to their spending, were some of the worst affected.

Cakir has been linked with a move to Liverpool in the Turkish press as far back as the end of last season. Earlier this month, Trabzonspor president Ahmet Agaoglu was quoted as saying: “There are offers for Cakir, we continue to receive offers. It’s been said Liverpool have made an offer.

“So a team that is undefeated in the Premier League wants my keeper. In other words, Liverpool’s goalkeeper is in my goal.”

A January move to Merseyside now seems unlikely, though Cakir has also been linked with Schalke and Lille. The Ligue 1 club already has a productive working relationship with Trabzonspor, having successfully negotiated a deal for midfielder Yusuf Yazici last summer.

Liverpool have already spent £7.25m in January to secure midfielder Takumi Minamino from Red Bull Salzburg. They are currently 14 points clear at the summit of the Premier League, despite a quiet summer in the transfer market.