Galatasaray interested in Asante Kotoko forward Mbella Etouga as reps ready to send detailed scouting report |

Galatasaray have scouted Asante Kotoko forward Franck Mbella Etouga for a potential move this summer, according to reports in Turkey.

The Cameroon International has risen to prominence in his first season into his 3-year deal at Kotoko. Having joined from Cameroonian side AS Fortuna at beginning of this term, Mbella walked into the starting lineup easily.

Mbella has grabbed 14 Premier League goals to emerge as top scorer of the Ghanaian top flight. However, he has failed to net against rivals Hearts of Oak in two games so far though the Cameroonian saw his goal ruled offside in Presidential Cup final. A victory for Hearts of Oak that handed former AC Milan and Inter midfielder Sulley Muntari his first trophy since returning to the local scene.

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Mbella has began second round of the Ghana Premier League on a brighter note scoring a brace against Dream FC and a goal in Kotoko’s 5-0 victory over weaker side Bibiani Gold Stars last Sunday’s evening. His performance since joining the Porcupine Warriors has been a thing to contest for by several clubs across Africa and Europe.

The likes of Al Ahly, Zamalek, Raja Casablanca and Etoile Sportive du Sahel are among African clubs interested with a move for Mbella Etouga. In Europe, French Ligue 1 side Stade Rennais is eyeing the forward in potential summer move.

FC Sheriff are also tracking the Ghana Premier League top scorer and would be competed for the player’s signature by Belgian clubs. Close source has also revealed that the agency that facilitated Kotoko former goalkeeper Razak Abelora’s move to Sheriff Tiraspol would attempt luring Mbella to the Moldovan side this summer.

Beside FC Sherif and Stade Rennais’s interest, another French Ligue 1 side Mertz have offered Kotoko a reported figure 2.5M Dollars for Mbella as the leaders weight the deal. Europa League round 16 losers Galatasaray are the latest European club to show interest in Mbella.

According to a report in Turkish media PesindeyizApp, Galatasaray have penciled Mbella and had subjected the forward to further monitoring and evaluation. With the Galatasaray reps in Africa finishing their scouting work on the forward, they have made ready a detailed report on Mbella to be submitted to Galatasaray technical team.

The scouts are reportedly impressed with the Cameroonian International which may force Galatasaray to make a move at the end of the season.

Kotoko’s stance on the player’s future has been revealed after club Chief Executive Officer Nana Yaw Amponsah saying the Ghanaian giants would be forced to sell.

“If our supporters don’t come to the stadium, how can we maintain Mbella? We’ll be forced to sell players so that we can balance our books,” Amponsah told Oyerepa FM in answering question on if Kotoko would be able to keep its stars at the end of this season.

“Offers are coming in for Franck Mbella and Georges Mfegue. We can only keep these players if supporters are committed to come to the stadium and contribute to the virtual challenge.

“I want to see the supporters who are the fuel of the club contribute much to Kotoko.

“If 10,000 fans attend a single game of our club, on average we can get about GHC200,000 after deductions. Kotoko will bag GHC400,000 in every month which is a huge amount in dollars. We can keep our best players.”

The CEO’s comments come as a major boost for clubs interested in Mbella including Galatasaray who were crushed out of the Europa League last 16 by football powerhouse FC Barcelona.

Though Zamalek and Ahly are said to be favorites for the Kotoko forward, only if they could launch a bid in time, Galatasaray could prize the asset away if submitted the right offer.

It’s only the right offer that would get Mbella out of Kotoko. Galatasaray embarked on a smart move to capture Mostafa Mohamed from Zamalek few seasons ago by initially agreeing on a loan deal with option to buy permanent after expiration of the temporary deal.

But a loan deal like in Mostafa’s deal will not work in Mbella’s deal and would rather hamper their chances of landing the Cameroonian as other clubs may be ready to submit direct buy out offer.

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