Just last week, Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz appeared to swing the door wide open ahead of a potential summer switch to West Ham United.
By his own admission, the Turkey international ‘would love to play’ in a major European league. Like the Premier League, for instance.
Baris Alper Yilmaz, reportedly on the radars of West Ham United, Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Newcastle, was also hoping that Galatasaray would not stand in his way should a suitable offer arrive.
West Ham reportedly had a £21 million bid rejected during the January transfer window. But as Yilmaz’s switch to the London Stadium was still ‘on the table’, more recent claims suggest Galatasaray could be tempted to cash in should they receive an offer of around £33 million.
A considerable sum, of course. Especially for a West Ham outfit hardly Scrooge McDuck-ing their way into the summer window.
However, as Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek breaks his silence in conversation with Sabah, even offering to make Yilmaz one of the biggest five signings in their history may not be enough to twist the arms of the Turkish Super Lig champions.
It appears that Yilmaz’s pleas, meanwhile, are set to go ignored.
Galatasaray president promises Baris Alper Yilmaz will not join West Ham United
After Gala coach Ozan Buruk put a barrier in front of Baris Alper Yilmaz a few weeks ago – ‘valuable players will leave’, he says, but not their winger-turned-centre-forward – Ozbek was a man singing from the same hymn sheet.
“We are not considering selling any of our players whose contracts are ongoing,” the president confirms, Alper Yilmaz tied down until the summer of 2027.
“Our goals are big. Baris Alper is also a very valuable football player who has a share in our victories.”
With 14 goals and six assists last term, the 2025/26 season was another stellar campaign for a footballer so versatile he would make Daniel Craig look like modern-era Liam Neeson.
Baris Alper Yilmaz led the line for Turkey during their run to the semi-finals of last year’s European Championships, running the channels with the kind of pace and power reminiscent of a prime-Michail Antonio.
Yilmaz, who can play on either flank, featured more regularly as a right-footed left winger for Galatasaray in the season just gone. Amid reports claiming West Ham like Celtic’s Daizen Maeda among others, he may be someone the Hammers go all in on should Mohammed Kudus depart at some point over the coming weeks.
Yet, with both Galatasaray’s head coach and their president slamming down the shutters, the phrase ‘barking up the wrong tree’ comes to mind.
West Ham’s Raphael Onyedika talks progress as Yilmaz faces Turkey stay
Alper Yilmaz may have to take matters into his own hands, then, if he wants a fresh start away from his native Turkey.
“I really want to play in Europe,” Yilmaz said a few days ago. “I would like to thank my club. We are here today thanks to them.
“I hope my club approves [a move away] and everything goes well. I would love to play in Europe.”
As things stand, West Ham appear a lot closer to bringing in a new midfielder than another forward. Talks with Club Brugge enforcer Raphael Onyedika are progressing, as Graham Potter’s side hold an advantage over AC Milan.
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