Valencia close to signing Cenk Özkacar from Lyon | OneFootball

Valencia and Lyon are finalising the details of the loan deal for 21-year-old Turkish centre-back Cenk Özkacar, according to Valencia-based journalist Héctor Gómez.

The young defender signed for Lyon in 2021 from the Turkish second division and was loaned out to Belgian side OH Leuven last season to gain experience.

The Mestalla outfit have an FPF problem and have only sold goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen and forward Goncalo Guedes this summer. After signing Nico, Lino and Castillejo, the club has €7.5 million left to sign players if they don’t sell again before the end of the transfer window.

Faced with this situation, the club went for Özkacar, whose salary will fit into the wage bill at Mestalla, not exceeding €500,000 gross per season. It will be a loan deal with an option to buy from Lyon next year if the move works out for all parties.

Last year Özkacar made 32 appearances and scored two goals for OH Leuven.