Arriving in Besiktas a week ago, Jackson Muleka signed a long-term contract with the Eagles. Yet he was promised to England. Behind the scenes of a transfer that leaves a bitter taste in Burnley.
Until last Tuesday, everything suggested that Muleka would sign for Burnley. Down in the Championship, the club now managed by Vincent Kompany, aimed the Congolese striker and his compatriot Samuel Bastien to play the lift. Negotiations were going well, an agreement in principle bound the two parties, but the deal finally fell through. Between an expensive offer from Besiktas, last-minute thinking from the Muleka camp and English resentment, the transfer finally had a thrilling outcome.
The English Liar Poker Game
Muleka and Burnley, it was almost done. According to Last hour, at the end of June, Standard de Liège had reached an agreement with the English club. A transfer of up to 4 million euros, with 25% of the amount on the resale of Muleka. The 22-year-old man was to sign a 4-year contract after a two-stage medical examination, first in Belgium and then in England after obtaining his visa.
In Belgium, Muleka made the first medical visit to Liège where he had returned after his successful loan to Kasimpasa (12 goals in 14 games). Expected in England for the second medical visit, the player never went there. The Athleticvery serious English media, revealed that “Without knowing why, his English medical examination had been canceled and his transfer fell through. » Vincent Kompany wanted “really the player”, but from Bastien and Muleka, he finally got only the former.
Turkish Roulette
In the kingdom, the Muleka camp, including its representative Jean-Willy Ngoma, is accused of having favored the last-minute Turkish financial offer. According to an indiscretion, the player’s emoluments could reach 1 million euros per year, an amount that Burnely was not ready to offer. Besikats notably offered 1 million euros more than the English offer for the transfer (3M), while putting his hand in his pocket for the salary.
The other strong argument in favor of the Istanbul club remains the sporting aspect. 6th last season in the Super Lig, Besiktas wants to regain the top of the standings, play for the title and seek a return to the Champions League, a competition never contested by Muleka. In England, JM would have played “only” the Skybet Championship, second division, and the prospect of playing the climb. The first option prevailed, in less than 48 hours, over the one that had been dragging on for a few weeks.
Iragi Elisha