Man Utd youngster Sam Mather was close to completing a transfer to Turkish club Kayserispor on Friday afternoon.Sam Mather wanted to leave United after outgrowing academy football.(Image: 2025 Manchester United FC)

Sam Mather’s move to Turkish club Kayserispor collapsed on Friday after Manchester United decided there wasn’t time to complete the deal.

Mather, 21, was keen to leave this summer to kickstart his career in the senior game. Talks were at an advanced stage with Kayserispor on Turkey’s deadline day, but the deal collapsed and Mather remains at United.

Kayserispor pushed hard to sign Mather on a permanent deal. The fee and buyback clause were agreed, and it’s understood personal terms were also verbally agreed with the forward.

United outlined a time for an agreement to be finalised and sign-off by the board was required, but the club eventually decided they did not have enough time to facilitate the transfer.

Mather will now have to deal with the disappointment of missing out on a fresh start.

The youngster has outgrown academy football and was hungry to begin the next chapter in his career. Mather had attracted interest from Turkey, Sweden and Germany in the summer window.

Mather’s situation will be revisited in the January transfer window. He will spend time training with the first team and making appearances in academy fixtures over the next few months.

He has predominantly played on the left wing during his time in the academy, but his preferred position is the No.10 role.

Mather’s contract at Old Trafford expires in the summer of 2027.

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