Rumor Mongering: Samed Yesil on a Free to Trabzonspor

Regardless of how one feels about relying on youth, some disappointing news out of Melwood today, if rumors are to be believed: Samed Yesil, the 22 year old German striker, is reportedly out of opportunities at Liverpool and will be allowed to lave on a free transfer this summer.

Yesil was spared the hype of many attacking players his age when Liverpool acquired him from Bayer Leverkusen in 2012 at the age of 18, but many Reds were hopeful the player, who had been a regular in Germany's under-19 side, bagging 8 goals in 7 appearances, and in Leverkusen's youth sides, scoring 57 in 71, might prove a savvy purchase and pay dividends down the road: either on the pitch or on the market.

Sadly, the player suffered a minor injury shortly after joining the club in August 2012, then ruptured his ACL the following February, shortly after returning to the under-21 lineup. Tragedy was never far behind, and the same year, in October 2013, he tore an ACL yet again, ending that season.

Since the second ACL surgery, Yesil suffered a number of niggling injuries that have kept him from full fitness. After the Reds loaned him to Luzern, undoubtedly hoping he would see some first team minutes and sharpen his game, he made only 17 appearances, scoring four goals and notching two assists.

Turkish Football is reporting that Yesil's agent already is in talks with Trabzonspor, and that personal terms are soon to be set. The source also claims Yesil "is known to be a Trabzonspor fan and spent his summer break in the Black sea region of Turkey," so make of that what you will. Of teams this author has been in FIFA, Trabzonspor is not one, but given that Yesil is German by way of Turkish descent, perhaps he is actually a fan.

Regardless, his contract is expiring in June and Liverpool have yet to make a move or indicate he will be part of the pre-season tour squad. While this writer is somewhat disappointed - not least from also undergoing two ACL surgeries in rapid-fire succession - the writing was on the wall some time ago, and one hopes the player's travails will serve him well as he takes the next step in his career.