Galatasaray finished 13th in the table last season. A real disgrace, because for the traditional Istanbul club it was the worst placement since the founding of the Süper Lig in 1959. Accordingly, it was clear to the club management that the squad had to be turned inside out in order to fight for the championship title and to play the return to the Champions League.
As a result, Gala committed numerous new players. On the deadline day of the summer transfer period alone, Mauro Icardi (30), Yusuf Demir (19), Mathias Ross (22), Juan Mata (34) and Milot Rashica (26) were joined by five professionals who improved the quality of the squad and quantitatively upgraded. Previously, Dries Mertens (35), Lucas Torreira (27), Léo Dubois (28), Sérgio Oliveira (30), Fredrik Midtsjö (29) and local players joined the club. A wild transfer phase – but that should not be the end of the road.
Winter transfers and new stars for the future
Gala probably landed the biggest coup with the commitment of Nicolò Zaniolo (23) in January. The attacking midfielder had offers from the Premier League, but decided to move to the Süper Lig. The Turks shelled out 15 million euros for the Italian international. Kaan Ayhan (28) also joined the Nef Stadyumu on loan from US Sassuolo.
All the investments are paying off. Galatasaray are currently at the top of the table and have a game more than nine points over city rivals Fenerbahce. Qualification for the Champions League in the coming season is close. And the transfer department of the Cim Bom is arming itself for the premier class.
Numerous names of top players are already haunting the gazettes as potential additions for the summer. Jordi Alba (33) from FC Barcelona should come according to ‘Sabah Spor’. The left-back only plays a minor role for the Catalans, but is a heavy burden on Barça’s salary budget. According to the report, Gala is expected to take concrete steps to lure the World and European champions to Istanbul in the coming weeks.
Dybala, Gündogan and Co.
Anyone who thinks that the Turkish top club’s funds are exhausted is obviously wrong. Ilkay Gündogan (32) also plays a role in the considerations of coach Okan Buruk and sports director Cenk Ergün. The German national player is only under contract with Manchester City until the summer and can then switch for free.
According to reports, there would also be a place available on the offensive. Supposedly they asked about Paulo Dybala (29) and his exit clause. The Argentine may leave AS Roma for twelve million euros. A sum that Galatasaray can pay. There are other rumors about Philippe Coutinho (30), who does not have a regular place at Aston Villa, and Christian Pulisic (24), for whom the air is getting thinner at Chelsea due to numerous newcomers at Stamford Bridge.
Two hurdles for new stars
Gala has been reaching into the upper transfer shelves for some time. Whether other stars can be signed in the summer depends on various factors. On the one hand, Gala has to be careful not to overdo it financially. In the past, one or the other Süper Lig club stumbled financially due to expensive newcomers with big names.
At the same time, the Turkish Football Association is trying to get clubs to rely more on local players. Therefore, the TFF has tightened the regulations for foreigners. Currently it is allowed to have 14 foreign players in the squad, eight of them are allowed to play in the starting XI. “I’ve never met anyone who told me they liked it. The coaches are unhappy, the management are unhappy, the players are unhappy, the fans are unhappy.”, Gala trainer Buruk is quoted as saying. No wonder, given the possible additions that could strengthen his team.
