The 2024/25 winter transfer window in the Turkish Super Lig has opened with fervor as Türkiye’s biggest football clubs—Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas—aim to strengthen their squads for the second half of the season.

With high stakes in the championship race and recovery goals for struggling teams, these clubs have launched ambitious transfer campaigns.

Galatasaray transfer activities: Strengthening commanding lead in Super Lig

Galatasaray enters the transfer period in commanding form, sitting eight points clear of their archrival Fenerbahce.

The team’s management, under the leadership of President Dursun Ozbek, has prioritized targeted reinforcements to maintain their dominance in the league and improve their European campaign.

Key transfer developments for Galatasaray:

• Diego Carlos (Aston Villa):
  • Galatasaray has entered negotiations with Aston Villa for the experienced center-back Diego Carlos. Valued at $11.4 million, Carlos’s potential arrival is seen as a strategic move to bolster Galatasaray’s defense.
  • Notably, the club’s interest in Carlos comes after Fenerbahce’s attempt to sign him fell through, making this a significant coup in the ongoing rivalry.
• Amine Gouiri (Rennes):
  • Discussions are underway for a potential deal involving a swap plus cash for Gouiri, a 24-year-old forward. Rennes’ interest in Victor Nelsson has provided Galatasaray with leverage in these talks.
• Ahmed Kutucu and Berke Ozer (Eyupspor):
  • The club has reportedly secured agreements for these promising Turkish players to join at the end of the season. Kutucu, a versatile forward with nine goals and five assists this season, is expected to strengthen Galatasaray’s attack, while goalkeeper Berke Ozer is viewed as the successor to Fernando Muslera.
• Romulo (Goztepe):
  • Galatasaray is interested in acquiring Romulo, a standout forward for Goztepe. However, Goztepe’s option to make his loan deal permanent complicates the transfer.
• Other targets for Galatasaray:
  • Arsenal’s Oleksandr Zinchenko has been linked as a potential reinforcement for the left-back position.
  • The club’s pursuit of Ilkay Gundogan continues, with reports suggesting that manager Okan Buruk has personally reached out to the player.

Fenerbahce’s transfer moves: Efforts to close gap in Super Lig title race

Trailing Galatasaray by eight points, Fenerbahce is under pressure to enhance their squad to mount a serious challenge. Manager Jose Mourinho is focusing on solidifying the defense and adding versatility to the squad.

Key transfer developments for Fenerbahce:

• Tuta (Eintracht Frankfurt):
  • The club has reportedly finalized a deal for the Brazilian center-back Tuta, involving a $11.4 million fee plus bonuses. Tuta’s athleticism and experience make him an ideal fit for Mourinho’s preferred 3-4-1-2 formation.
• Lloyd Kelly (Newcastle United):
  • Fenerbahce is exploring the possibility of signing Kelly, a left-footed center-back. Kelly’s limited playing time in the Premier League has made him open to a move.
• Sergio Reguilon (Tottenham):
  • Mourinho has reportedly contacted Reguilon directly, proposing a reunion at Fenerbahce. The Spanish left-back’s contract expires at the end of the season, which could facilitate the transfer.
• Cuiabano (Botafogo):
  • Negotiations are ongoing for the 21-year-old Brazilian left-back, with Botafogo setting an initial asking price of $5 million.
• Additional developments for Fenerbahce:
  • The club’s leadership is reportedly considering additional defensive reinforcements, with names like Aymeric Laporte and Koki Machida also under evaluation.

Besiktas transfer plans: Aiming for strong recovery with key signings

Besiktas has endured a challenging season in the Super Lig and is currently focusing on a combination of recovery and long-term planning.

The club’s leadership is working to secure impactful transfers while addressing potential departures.

Key transfer developments for Besiktas:

• Romulo (Goztepe):
  • Like Galatasaray, Besiktas is interested in Romulo. However, Goztepe’s option to buy complicates the transfer. Besiktas views Romulo as a promising addition to their attack.
• Sandro Kulenovic (Dinamo Zagreb):
  • Besiktas is reportedly pursuing Kulenovic, a forward known for his aerial prowess. However, Dinamo Zagreb is reluctant to part with the player due to squad constraints.
• King Manaj (Sivasspor):
  • The Albanian forward is another target for Besiktas. Despite his recent contract extension with Sivasspor, Manaj has expressed interest in joining the Istanbul club.
• Serginho (Viborg):
  • Reports suggest that Besiktas is targeting Serginho, a winger currently playing in Denmark. Fans have likened him to the iconic Ricardo Quaresma due to his style of play.
• Ciro Immobile’s uncertain future:
  • Speculation surrounds Immobile’s future, with reports suggesting he may return to Italy. Despite contributing to recent victories, his family’s reported dissatisfaction with life in Istanbul has fueled rumors of a potential departure.

Financial limitations and transfer budgets for the Super Lig’s top clubs

The Turkish Football Federation (TFF) has set specific spending limits for clubs in the Super Lig, significantly impacting their transfer strategies:

• Galatasaray: $1.82 billion (maximum $2.37 billion with allowances).
• Fenerbahce: $1.89 trillion (maximum $2.46 trillion).
• Besiktas: $950 million (maximum $1.23 billion).

The current winter transfer window officially closes on Feb. 11 and has already seen Türkiye’s football giants engage in intense activity, driven by championship ambitions and recovery efforts.

While Galatasaray aims to maintain its dominance, Fenerbahce seeks to close the gap, and Besiktas works on rebuilding.