Despite the turmoil facing the former Nigeria international Emmanuel Emenike in Fenerbahce SK, the former Karabukspor ace turned down offer worth 4 million euros per annum from Fenerbahce’s fierce rivals Besiktas to snatch away the bully striker surprisingly early last year.
SportingLife gathered through a reliable source from Turkey that Besiktas met Emenike’s representatives secretly at neutral ground to strike a deal but he declined the offer and sees it as way of betraying the club trust and confidence in him especially his relationship with the club President who has refused to listen to permanent offers for the striker.
The Besiktas approach came when the Nigerian striker was having it tough with Fenerbahce fans over lack of scoring goals and consistent booing on and off the pitch which resulted to his loan move to United Arab Emirates club Al Ain FC.
But Emenike understands that such move won’t be the best for his career due to the fact that the Turkish fans will be divided over his decision and could land him in more trouble in the country he was once jailed due to match fixing saga. Although, Besiktas representative couldn’t push further for that reason.
“He respects the president a lot, and that’s why he deliberately turned down the offer from Besiktas. It wasa very lucrative offer but the player understands the rivalry between the two clubs,” said the source.
After his first season in Fenerbahce where he scored 13 goals to lift the title, the Nigerian has not experienced the best of time with the Turkish side again, with two separate loan spells in the UAE and England failing to provide the desired result needed to re-ignite his poor form.
He started this season as the top striker for Fenerbahcebut suffered a terrible dip in form which made him lost his spot in the team, with Dutch coach Advocaat preferring Moussa Sow and Robin Van Persie ahead of the Nigerian.
Emenike was recently suspended by Fenerbahce for indiscipline, and has been told by Coach of Fenerbahce Dick Advocaat to look for another club, as there is no spot for him in his squad.
Former West Ham United of England forward recently spoke out about his unhappiness with the way fans of Fenerbahce are treating him. Turkish press claims he is unhappy with coach Dick Advocaat while some reportedly said he had a fall out with Dutch defender Gregory Van Der Wiel.
Online reports claimed that the forward is close to agreeing a loan deal to Russian side Rubin Kazan, with an option of joining the team permanently in the summer after his loan deal.
Fenerbahce are demanding 5 million euros as his permanent transfer fee while the Russian side are pushing for a fee of 2.5 million euros. The disparity in their valuation of the star is the reason why the deal is yet to be agreed.