Charlton boss casts doubt over Oztumer’s loan spell at Rovers
LEE Bowyer has poured doubt over Erhun Oztumer’s future at Bristol Rovers, but FIFA rules render the Charlton Athletic boss’ comments somewhat questionable.
The playmaker is on a seasonlong loan from Charlton and had established himself as an important part of Paul Tisdale’s side before testing positive for Covid-19 amid the club’s outbreak of the virus before Christmas.
But Bowyer has revealed Charlton have received interest from other clubs ahead of the January window, hinting the south-east London outfit would be open to recalling Oztumer from his spell in BS7 to seal a permanent move away from The Valley.
The 29-year-old, who has a goal and an assist in 10 appearances for the Gas, is out of contract in the summer and will become a free agent.
Oztumer being recalled would undoubtedly be a blow for Tisdale, who is eager to bolster his attacking options rather than see them depleted.
“I think Bristol Rovers like him but we have had other enquiries about him - it just depends what Erhun wants to do really,” Bowyer told the South London Press.
“It’s about where he sees himself and where he’d rather be.
“Again there is no rush with Erhun. He is there on loan and if someone was interested and wanted to do something more permanent then we’d listen to that.”
However, FIFA’s three-club rule, which prevents players from playing for more than two clubs in a single season, means Oztumer can only play for Charlton or Rovers until the end of the campaign.
Oztumer played five games for Charlton this term prior to his October move to the Gas.
With Bowyer happy to part with the former Walsall man on loan just a few months ago coupled with the implication he is content to see the player leave permanently, the Memorial Stadium appears to be the only place in much of Europe where Oztumer would be permitted to ply his trade until next season.
There are some loopholes that allow for moves abroad to leagues which do not operate on the traditional August-May calendar, for example the MLS in the United States, which kicks off in spring.
The chances of such a move materialising at the height of the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, with its financial and logistical challenges, should the interest be there are questionable.
Rovers return to action with a home game against Blackpool tomorrow. The visitors stand 12th in the League One table, eight points and nine places better off than Rovers.