Teemu Pukki
According to claims from Turkish outlet Fotomac via Sport Witness, as cited by MSN, Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki has emerged as a potential transfer target for Turkish heavyweights Fenerbahce heading into the January window.
The same report adds that Fenerbahce are keen to complete a deal for Pukki in January after being impressed with his blistering form during the most recent international break.
The 29-year-old bagged three goals in two games for Finland, including a brace in a 3-0 victory over Liechtenstein.
Pukki, who claimed a staggering 29 goals and 9 assists in 43 appearances in the second-tier last season to propel the Canaries to a promotion-winning campaign, has made a seamless transition to the Premier League, despite the club’s position at the bottom of the standings.
The 29-year-old, who boasts of 20 goals from 75 senior international caps for Finland, is currently Norwich City’s top scorer in the Premier League.
Pukki racked up 5 goals in 3 league fixtures in August, including a hat-trick and a Man of The Match performance in the 3-1 victory over Newcastle United in August.
The Finnish hitman continues to be the heartbeat of the club’s forward line and is central to manager Daniel Farke’s hopes of beating the drop.
Having endured mediocre stints at Schalke and Celtic after rising to prominence with HJK Helsinki in his homeland, Pukki was offered an escape route when Norwich City snapped him up on a free transfer back in the summer of 2018.
The 29-year-old repaid the manager’s faith in his abilities and took the Championship by storm in his debut season at Carrow Road, grabbing his opportunities with both hands to guide the Canaries to a much-awaited promotion.
To put things into perspective, Teemu Pukki might have lost his goalscoring touch over the last couple of months but he continues to be the go-to man for Norwich City. Losing him midway through the campaign could be detrimental to their hopes of staying up in the Premier League.
Pukki is arguably their key player in front of the goal and the Canaries do not have the time to bring in a like-for-like alternative to cope with his departure.
Indeed, cashing in on Pukki would hand them a sizable kitty to reinvest and improve other areas of their squad but parting ways with the Finnish talisman isn’t something they should even consider.
Plus, Farke hardly has any feasible back-up as far as his striking options are concerned. Neither Josip Drmic nor Dennis Srbeny has started a league fixture for the Canaries so far this season and that is why holding on to Pukki should be a top priority.
Looking at things from the player’s perspective, a move to a big club like Fenerbahce – and the chance to challenge for silverware – definitely sounds good but Norwich simply cannot afford to lose him right now.
Furthermore, if the Canaries end up getting relegated, Pukki would once again be their best bet to propel them back to the Premier League.
All in all, Norwich City should leave no stone unturned in their efforts to keep Teemu Pukki at Carrow Road and slapping a huge price tag could help them ward off interest in the striker’s services.
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