Owusu’s Auxerre spell appears over as Turkish deal takes shape

Elisha Owusu is set to leave AJ Auxerre and join Erzurumspor, with the newly promoted Turkish top-flight club reaching an agreement for the Ghana international, according to L’Equipe.

The 28-year-old midfielder, who wore the Auxerre captain’s armband until May, is expected to move to Turkey despite still having a contract with the French club until June 2027. The proposed transfer would take place 12 months before the end of his deal.

Auxerre are understood to have negotiated a fee of about €1m, excluding potential bonuses linked to the transfer. Africafoot also reports that Owusu is being monitored by Hoffenheim, although Erzurumspor currently appear to be the club closest to securing his signature.

The midfielder’s departure had begun to look increasingly likely in recent days. He was left out of Auxerre’s most recent friendly against Werder Bremen, a match the French side won 1-0, and remained an unused substitute throughout the game.

Owusu joined AJ Auxerre in January 2023 from KAA Gent, also known as La Gantoise, in a deal worth just €500,000. He went on to become an important figure in the centre of the team’s midfield and was trusted with the captaincy before the end of last season.

His current market value is estimated at €4m by Transfermarkt. However, Auxerre are expected to receive considerably less than that figure from Erzurumspor if the proposed transfer is completed.

Erzurumspor have recently secured promotion to the Turkish top flight, adding another destination to Owusu’s career after his time in France and Belgium. The move would give the Ghanaian midfielder the opportunity to continue playing at the highest level in Turkey, while Auxerre would lose an experienced player shortly before the start of their new league campaign.

Auxerre are due to begin the French championship season against RC Lens. In the betting market quoted by 1xBet, an Auxerre victory is priced at 5.75, a draw at 4.30 and a Lens win at 1.57.

Owusu’s expected transfer therefore comes at a significant moment for the Burgundy club, who must prepare for their opening fixture without a player who has played a prominent role in their midfield since arriving from Belgium. The agreement with Erzurumspor remains subject to the final completion of the move, but all indications point towards the Ghana international bringing his Auxerre stay to an end.