Who is Can Uzun? The Nürnberg wonderkid wanted by Brighton, Newcastle and Dortmund

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Can Uzun has 13 goals and three assists in 20 games across all competitions for 2. Bundesliga side Nürnberg. With that in mind, it isn’t surprising that the 17-year-old has played himself on to the shortlist of some of Europe’s biggest teams. Although, in public, Nürnberg have always pointed out Uzun’s long-term contract, internally, the club is planning to sell the top talent. 

Market Value

Can Uzun Attacking Midfield

€12.00m

Reports out of Germany have indicated that Borussia Dortmund, Inter Milan, Newcastle and Brighton have all shown interest in the attacking midfielder. “Can has a long-term contract,” 1. FC Nürnberg sporting director Olaf Rebbe said in an interview with Transfermarkt late last year. “We are very proud that we have been part of his path for some time and were able to develop him. The way he has been playing and his goals and assists has naturally caused some attention. The fact that he is consistently performing at his age is extraordinary. We will have to see what the future brings, but this year, a transfer is not a topic.” 

Uzun is currently under contract until 2027, which means that Nürnberg is in full control of the situation. But talents of Uzun’s caliber can generate a significant transfer fee—that money would be welcome for a mid-table 2. Bundesliga side. Regardless, the plan for now is to keep Uzun until the end of the season. The youngster is supposed to use this season to develop and show that he can perform at that level, at least for the medium term. But then next summer, a transfer is certainly possible and could become the biggest in the club's history. 

Can Uzun transfer: Nürnberg to capitalize from Euro 2024? 

What could help is playing at a major tournament, and there have been some suggestions that Uzun could feature for Türkiye at Euro 2024. Turkish national team coach Vincenzo Montella has reportedly been in contact with Uzun and is open to nominating the 17-year-old for the tournament should the country qualify. But even without Euro 2024, Nürnberg can expect a significant transfer fee. As part of the recent 2. Bundesliga market value update: Uzun saw his market value upgraded from to €8m. That makes Uzun the joint most valuable player in Germany’s second division level with Schalke wonderkid Assan Ouédraogo. 

“He has been directly involved in 13 goals in 20 games across all competitions,” Transfermarkt market value admin Konstantin Haas said about Uzun’s recent market value update. “He has already scored 10 goals in the second division and has caught the eye of European top clubs and could make his debut for the Turkish national team.” 

Who is Can Uzun? The 17-year-old is an “exceptional talent” 

Indeed, 13 goals and three assists in 20 games across all competitions are exceptional for a 18-year-old attacking midfielder. But what makes Uzun such a dangerous player? “Can Uzun is a technically gifted player, who can operate in very small spaces where he can use his one-v-one skills,” Transfermarkt Bundesliga market value admin Tobias Kröger said. That observation is underlined by hard data. According to Wyscout, Uzun ranks third among all 2. Bundesliga players with 7.46 dribbles per 90 minutes. “It is difficult to separate him from the ball and he is very effective in front of the goal, which is reflected in his goalscoring numbers this season. 

Stats

Can Uzun Attacking Midfield

1.FC Nuremberg

Career stats–
All competitions

Games

33

Goals

18

Assists

3

“But he is also a good team player, a typical playmaker, with the ability to set up goalscoring opportunities," Kröger added. And again, that observation is backed up by hard data. Uzun ranks fourth in the 2. Bundesliga with 11 smart passes and is fifth with 1.87 smart passes per 90 minutes. Those numbers, together with his goalscoring ability, highlight why top clubs want Uzun and why the German football federation is also still fighting for the player. Added Kröger: “You can see in every game this season that he is an exceptional talent.”