Express & Star

Vedat Muriqi’s Turkish goals alert host of top clubs

Rumours are rife in Turkey that Albion are one of the teams interested in signing Fenerbahce striker Vedat Muriqi.

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Striker Vedat Muriqi has been linked with a move to The Hawthorns

According to reports in Turkish media outlets Fanatik and Aksam, Slaven Bilic has identified the forward as a key transfer target should the Baggies go on and win promotion to the Premier League.

But just who is Muriqi and why might Albion – and a host of other clubs in England – be interested in signing him?

A centre-forward who can lead the line, Muriqi is 6ft 4in tall, strong and good at the holding the ball up and linking play.

In recent years, though, he has developed into a clinical frontman – and it’s the addition of goals that has brought him to the attention of clubs across Europe.

A Kosovo international, Muriqi started his career in his native Kosovo before joining Turkish side Giresunspor in 2014.

He smashed in 21 goals in 57 games for the second-tier side – which then earned him a move to the Super Lig with Gençlerbirligi.

Following the move, Muriqi found first-team opportunities limited and made just 19 starts – scoring five goals – for the Ankara-based side.

That lack of playing time saw him leave for fellow top-flight side Çaykur Rizespor.

And it’s fair to say the move helped catapult his career to a new level.

Muriqi scored 20 goals in 44 appearances during his only season with Rizespor.

That tally is, of course, hugely impressive.

But it is even better when you look at how Rizespor played and Muriqi’s expected goals.

Playing in their system, the numbers suggest the striker should have netted 0.33 goals every 90 minutes. But Muriqi ended the campaign with 0.46 goals per 90. And it is that form which saw him snapped up by Fenerbahce where he has continued to be prolific.

Muriqi had netted 16 goals in 28 games before football was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Playing for the Turkish giants, Muriqi is spending more time in the box – with his movement drawing praise from pundits. But his form has also caught the attention of a host of clubs.

It has been reported that earlier this month Tottenham tested the water with a £4.5million bid for the striker.

That offer is said to have been rejected as derisory with reports emerging Fenerbahce want around £17million for the striker.

It has also been suggested Muriqi wants regular first-team football and wouldn’t want to be used as an understudy to Harry Kane.

Leicester and Italian side Lazio have also been linked with the forward, who has scored eight goals in 23 appearances for Kosovo.