Turkey giants Galatasaray express interest in Nicholson
Published:Wednesday | August 17, 2022 | 12:09 AMLivingston Scott/Gleaner Writer
KEVIN COWAN, the agent of Jamaica and Spartak Moscow forward, Shamar Nicholson, confirmed that Turkish giants Galatasaray and a number of European clubs have been enquiring about the availability of the striker.
Cowan has said if the right offer comes along, Nicholson could be leaving the Russian club after spending less than a season there.
According to Cowan, the big striker has fallen behind Aleksandr Sobolev in the pecking order and a number of clubs have been tracking his situation with the hope of snatching the 25-year-old.
“Clubs have noticed that he has not been playing a lot since the season started. The team (Spartak) has started really strong. They are currently first place and Shamar is basically the second choice behind the Russian striker (Sobolev),” he said.
Cowan explained that Nicholson’s international commitments over the course of the season meant he was given a much longer holiday than Russian players, who had no international commitment after FIFA suspended the country’s national outfit because of their part in the war in Ukraine.
Nicholson has started one of the club’s five games, and although Sobolev has scored just once, the team has won three of the four matches he started, and Spartak coach Guille Abascal is not too eager to change his winning formula.
“Those guys reported to preseason as normal but Shamar was given extended time off.
“But while he was away, his main competitor was in preseason and was two to three weeks ahead of him in physical and mental preparation.
“So although he has not lit up the chart, the coach is not willing to change his team.
“So that has triggered the alert because Shamar is a highly rated player in Europe and so a lot of clubs are now enquiring, saying maybe he is surplus to requirements and is available,” said Cowan.
NO CONCRETE OFFER
He disclosed that Galatasaray and four other Turkish clubs, as well as other Europeans clubs have been showing interest. However, no concrete offer has been made.
He said although the player is patient and focused on fighting for his spot, if the right offer comes along, he could make a move before the end of the transfer window.
“A lot of clubs are looking for a good number nine and Shamar fits that profile, so I am not surprised that especially Turkish clubs are throwing things in the media.
“Galatasaray has made some enquiries directly to me and to the club. But there is nothing more I can say but that there are four Turkish clubs, as well as clubs from other European countries.
“But right now we do not have any agreement with any clubs for Shamar,” he said.
“At the end of the day, if he is not there (Spartak) when the window closes, I would not be surprised because he is in demand.
“The window does not close for another two weeks, so if the right offer comes in and we like the project and we can make a deal, then of course we will.
“But at the moment there is no desperation, we are not fighting to get a move. He is being patient and focused on winning back the starting position.
“He wants to be number one, he knows he is number one and just waiting for his time
“But if a real offer comes in I will sit with Shamar and the club and say considering everything, we want to do this.”
Nicholson joined the Russians last December and scored fives goals in 16 matches.