Turkish PM implores Alex to consider moving to Kasımpaşa

ISTANBUL

Fenerbahce's Alex de Souza celebrates his goal during the UEFA Europa League soccer match between Fenerbahce and Olympique Marseille at Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey, 20 September 2012. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU

Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has called Brazilian football star Alex de Souza to ask him to stay in Turkey following his sudden departure from Fenerbahçe last week, suggesting he could play for Kasımpaşa, daily Hürriyet reported.
 
Erdoğan asked Alex to consider staying in Turkey, even if he was no longer a part of Fenerbahçe.
 
Alex, however, kindly turned down the offer, saying staying in Turkey would further harm the Yellow Canaries. "It would be better if I return [home]," Alex reportedly told Erdoğan.
 
Erdoğan again said he did not want Alex to leave Turkey, suggesting he could play for Kasımpaşa.
 
Alex, however, said he wished to return to Brazil to continue to his football career.
 
Erdoğan played youth football for Kasımpaşa, a Beyoğlu-based club that was promoted this year.

Alex played eight seasons at Fenerbahçe, but he sensationally left the club last week after he was dropped from the first team by coach Aykut Kocaman. The club’s treatment toward the Brazilian star prompted fury among the team’s supporters, who had unveiled a statute in Kadıköy to Alex less than a month ago.