Emmanuel Agyemang-Badu has consistently been linked with a move to England since gaining international recognition. It started with Crystal Palace in the summer of 2013 and since then, he has been the target of other Premier League clubs every window.
In the summer of 2016, the talks intensified with Stoke City hot on his heels. Manager Mark Hughes was keen on bringing him to the Britannia and held initial talks with the Ghana international.
But the move to the Potteries never materialized and the box to box midfielder continued in the Serie A with Udinese.
12 months later, Middlesbrough and Huddersfield were the next to be linked but Harry Redknapp’s Birmingham City emerged as strong contenders. There was every indication the years of speculation will soon become a reality when he confirmed of a likely transfer.
“I have been playing here for seven years now and think in many ways that I have done my part for the team. The team has been very good to me too, but it is time for a new challenge,” Badu said.
A move to the Championship side seemed more likely but in what is perceived as a surprise move, he joined Turkish side Bursaspor. There have been suggestions he joined partly because of money but the former Asante Kotoko player has debunked such assertions.
“I don’t think I came to Turkey because of money. I want to play football and I will get it in a competitive Turkish league,” Agyemang-Badu said on Monday.
“The offer I got for Birmingham was very great, it was very difficult to reject it but I needed to taste the Turkish league.”
The African contingent in the Super Lig has increased considerably over the years and Badu admits he consulted some of his colleagues prior to signing on the dotted lines.
“I spoke with Jerry Akaminko, John Boye, Adebayor and Asamoah Gyan before our friendly with Kayserispor.
“There were great reviews and I want such challenges. It is not about money.”
Bursaspor begin their campaign in Turkish league against Joseph Attamah’s Istanbul Basaksehir.
