Big Three of Türkiye strengthen squads before 2024/25 summer transfer window closes on Friday

By Emre Asikci​​​​​​​

ISTANBUL (AA) - The three biggest Turkish football clubs are steadily strengthening their squads ahead of Türkiye's 2024/25 summer transfer window, which closes on Friday.

Fenerbahce arguably had the most successful conclusion to the summer transfer window among Turkish Super Lig clubs.

The Yellow Canaries made one of the most notable decisions of the transfer period by selecting a new manager, a move that captured attention.

Jose Mourinho, the world-famous Portuguese manager, took over Ismail Kartal's position and signed a two-year contract with the Turkish giant.

Mourinho has previously coached many top clubs in his career and won the UEFA Champions League twice, with Portugal’s Porto in 2004 and Italy’s Inter Milan in 2010.

The 61-year-old tactician has won domestic titles with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Real Madrid.

He also led Italy's Roma to lift the 2022 Conference League title.

With full-back Ferdi Kadioglu's departure to Brighton & Hove Albion, Fenerbahce have strengthened their squad by signing left-winger Allan Saint-Maximin, striker Youssef En-Nesyri, midfielder Sofyan Amrabat and left-midfielder Filip Kostic.

In addition to these transfers, Turkish defender Caglar Soyuncu joined Fenerbahce on a permanent deal and former Besiktas Cenk Tosun signed a contract for a free transfer.

The Istanbul club focused on building greater depth during the transfer window by bringing in promising young talents such as Levent Mercan and Oguz Aydin.

The Turkish Super Lig title has evaded the Yellow Blues for about a decade, while their latest Turkish top-tier trophy was in 2014.

Under the helm of Mourinho, Fenerbahce have set his sights on bringing an end to his club's decade-long Super Lig title drought.

- Osimhen moves Galatasaray on loan

Defending champion Galatasaray made one of the most sensational transfers in football, signing Nigerian star Victor Osimhen on a season-long loan from Napoli.

According to Transfermarkt, a German football data website, Osimhen is currently recognized as one of the most expensive strikers with a value of €100 million (approximately $110 million).

The 25-year-old striker trails only Manchester City's Erling Haaland, Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, and Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez.

Galatasaray cemented the senior team squad with a familiar player, Belgian forward Michy Batshuayi on a three-year contract.

The former Besiktas and Fenerbahce striker has been playing in Turkish Super Lig since 2021.

The Lions also acquired Elias Jelert from Copenhagen, Gabriel Sara from Norwich City, and Ismail Jakobs from Monaco.

Also, Hakim Ziyech sealed a permanent move to Galatasaray, inking a one-year deal with an option for an additional 12 months.

- Besiktas hire Van Bronckhorst as head coach

Besiktas have bolstered their squad with several new signings as they gear up to compete for the Turkish Super Lig title this season.

Giovanni Van Bronckhorst was appointed as their new head coach on a two-year contract, along with a one-year option to extend.

The Black Eagles have bolstered their squad with a mix of experience and youthful energy for the new season. Among their key signings are players over the age of 30, such as Gabriel Paulista from Atletico Madrid, Rafa Silva from Benfica, and Ciro Immobile from Lazio, who bring a wealth of experience to the team.

Additionally, Paris Saint-Germain's Cher Ndour, Augsburg's Felix Uduokhai, and Benfica's Joao Mario, who joined on loan, further reinforce the squad.

Besiktas also prioritized future potential, acquiring young talents like Can Keles from VavaCars Fatih Karagumruk and Emirhan Topcu from Caykur Rizespor.

These new additions reflect the club's strategy of balancing experience and youth as they aim to make a strong push for the Turkish Super Lig title.

Turkish football's summer transfer window opened on June 14, giving clubs nearly three months to finalize their squads for the upcoming season.

The window is set to close on Sept. 13 at midnight local time (2100GMT).