Bilal Basacikoglu of Feyenoord reacts during the pre season friendly match between Feyenoord Rotterdam and Southampton FC at De Kuip on July 23, 2015 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. (Getty Images)
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Norwich City signing this exciting 24-year-old would make for a shrewd January move

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Why Bilal Basacikoglu would be a smart signing for Norwich City

According to Netherlands football magazine ELF Voetbal (h/t The Pink Un), Turkish winger Bilal Basacikoglu has attracted interest from Norwich City, Leicester and Hull ahead of the January transfer window.

Once one of the most exciting attacking talents in Dutch football, Bilal Basacikoglu, 24, has struggled to live up to his potential.

The Dutch-born Turk joined Kayserispor in 2018 and registered three goals and four assists in 37 games. However, Kayserispor brought an end to his contract 18 months early due to their financial crunch. (h/t The Pink Un)

As a result, the 24-year-old is a free agent and his availability has caught the attention of Premier League duo Norwich and Leicester, as well as Championship side Hull.

Norwich City, meanwhile, are currently placed 19th in the standings after 18 games. Hence, it is pretty clear that the Canaries will require a massive effort to climb up the standings over the coming months and eventually beat the drop in the Premier League.

Bilal Basacikoglu of Feyenoord in action during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord at Amsterdam ArenA on January 21, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Getty Images)
Bilal Basacikoglu of Feyenoord in action during the Dutch Eredivisie match between Ajax Amsterdam and Feyenoord at Amsterdam ArenA on January 21, 2018 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Getty Images)

A tally of 19 goals scored and 37 conceded so far highlights the need for some significant improvement at both ends of the pitch.

Teemu Pukki, who spearheaded Norwich’s promotion surge in the Championship with 29 goals the last term, has once again been the club’s chief source of goals this term. has already racked up an impressive tally of 9 goals and 3 assists in 16 games but he hasn’t had a lot of support from his teammates.

Emi Buendia, Onel Hernandez and Todd Cantwell have chipped in with some crucial goals and assists but other than them, the likes of Patrick Roberts, Josip Drmic and Dennis Srbeny have failed to live up to the expectations at Carrow Road. Hence, Norwich could do with someone like Bilal Basacikoglu.

Basacikoglu’s career has stuttered over the last couple of years, but at 24, he still has time to start things afresh. A move to Norwich would give him opportunities to showcase his talent.

In the 24-year-old, Norwich would get a flashy winger, who is fantastic on the ball and never shies away from taking on his man and beating him.

Norwich City manager Daniel Farke. (Getty Images)
Norwich City manager Daniel Farke. (Getty Images)

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Cantwell and Hernandez have impressed this season and he would complement them perfectly. Basacikoglu also fits Farke’s model of talented young players and could be a potential asset for the Canaries.

In the video below, one can get a glimpse of the Dutch-born Turk’s style of play and the qualities he could bring to Carrow Road.

Verdict

Suffice to say, Basacikoglu to Norwich looks like a move that could well go a long way towards solving the club’s issues relating to lack of creativity in the final third.

At 24, he still has his best years ahead of him. On a free transfer, the winger could provide a massive boost to the Canaries’ chances of survival in the Premier League.