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SOCIAL media was yesterday awash with reports that Marvelous Nakamba was set to leave Aston Villa and join Turkish champions Trabzonspor.
His teammate, Betrand Traore, is also moving to Turkey, which has proved to be a popular home for the African players, leaving Villa.
Egyptian forward, Trezeguet, also moved to Turkey, after leaving the Birmingham club, and it was the same route taken by Tanzania’s Mbwana Samatta.
Yesterday, speculation in this country reached fever pitch that Nakamba was also set to move to Turkey for a flirtation with Trabzonspor who, in April this year, won their first league title in 38 years.
On Wednesday, the club were knocked out of the Champions League, in the final qualifier, by Danish side Copenhagen.
However, H-Metro can exclusively reveal that Nakamba is not moving to Turkey and could still stay at Villa this season, when the transfer window closes next week. H-Metro sources have revealed the Premiership club actually want Nakamba to extend his deal, which is set to expire at the end of the 2024 season.
If Nakamba is to move, either on loan or for good, it’s likely he will remain in the Premiership.
Three clubs have been mentioned — Newcastle, who wanted him in January, newboys Nottingham Forest and Fulham — could be his destination.
“The next couple of days will be interesting and the club wants him to commit himself further, with a year extension on his deal, but there is concern, among his handlers, he is not seeing game time,” said the sources.
“What is clear is that Marvelous is still a player who commands a lot of respect, as a professional, at a number of clubs in the Premier League and he has a number of suitors waiting for a signal.”
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter