Vincent Aboubakar set for Turkish return as Bodrum FK talks advance

Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar is close to returning to Turkish football after entering advanced negotiations to join Bodrum FK.

The 34-year-old has been invited to the club’s city within the next two days to complete the final stage of discussions and sign a formal contract, according to Turkish newspaper Hurriyet.

Aboubakar would arrive from his most recent club, Azerbaijani side Neftci PFK, if an agreement is reached. The proposed move would mark another spell in Turkey for the experienced forward, who previously made a strong impression during periods with Besiktas and Hatayspor.

Bodrum FK have approached Aboubakar as they seek to finalise an attacking addition, with the player now expected to travel to the city for further negotiations. The next stage is understood to involve concluding the terms of the deal before the relevant contracts are signed.

The Cameroon international has also been linked with a long-running public rivalry involving Mohamed Salah, the Egypt captain and former Liverpool star. Aboubakar has previously made comments about Salah that attracted widespread attention, saying on more than one occasion that the forward “does not impress him at all”.

He has also stated publicly that he possesses the same qualities as Salah and could produce a similar level of performance if given the chance to play for a major European club such as Liverpool.

In those comments, Aboubakar argued that Salah’s contribution was largely concentrated on finishing attacks and scoring goals, rather than involving a more complete role in creating play. His assessment of the Egyptian forward has made him a regular focus of discussion whenever the two players have been mentioned together.

A move to Bodrum FK would therefore create the possibility of a direct meeting between the two forwards in Turkish football. The source article says Salah moved to Trabzonspor this summer, meaning Aboubakar’s return to Turkey could bring the pair into competition with one another.

Aboubakar’s earlier Turkish career included spells at Besiktas and Hatayspor, where he established his reputation in the country’s football scene. His potential transfer from Neftci PFK would now give him the opportunity to continue that association with Turkish football at Bodrum FK.

For the moment, the deal remains subject to the completion of the final negotiations and the signing of the official documents. However, the formal invitation issued by Bodrum FK and the advanced state of the talks indicate that Aboubakar is close to securing a return to the Turkish league.