The message to West Ham United – as Graham Potter’s side join Nottingham Forest and co in a fierce Premier League pursuit of Galatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz – is pay up or shut up.
The reigning – and soon-to-be consecutive – Super Lig champions have little interest in accepting what they consider to be lowball bids for one of the most exciting and versatile attacking players situated outside of Europe’s ‘top five’ leagues.
Galatasaray rejected a £21 million bid from West Ham during the January transfer window, according to claims coming out of Turkey. The Hammers, though, are not the only English-based outfit to fall considerably short of Gala’s eye-watering asking price.
Reporter Ertan Suzgun insists that Nottingham Forest also had an offer turned down. So, with both West Ham United and Nuno Espirito Santo’s Europe-bound Forest still seemingly in the running four months on, what must be done in order to twist Galatasaray’s arm?
Well, as Suzgun explains, meeting their £33.5 million demand would go a long way to making a potential deal happen.
West Ham United must increase offer for Galatasaray’s Baris Alper Yilmaz
Galatasaray value Baris Alper Yilmaz at 40 million euros.
As such, if West Ham are to get their man – TBR Football reports that The Hammers scouted Alper Yilmaz during an Istanbul derby against Besiktas a month or so ago – the London Stadium outfit must put their money where their mouth is.
“Baris Alper Yilmaz has a serious market in the Premier League. [English clubs] are following him,” Suzgun tells Play Spor, explaining that Galatasaray’s desire to hold off Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce was a major reason why they refused any January bids.
“Nottingham Forest had an official offer of 20 million euros, plus five [million euros in bonuses]. Galatasaray did not accept it.
“[President] Dursun Ozbek said something like, ‘We are going for the championship. If we sell Baris Alper Yilmaz, I cannot explain this to the fans.’
“Nottingham Forest later knocked on Galatasaray’s door again verbally saying, ‘We can increase the offer to 25 million Euros, plus five [in bonuses]’ but it was not accepted again. West Ham’s offer was not accepted either.
“I do not think the English will leave Galatasaray alone regarding Baris Alper. In fact, some clubs recently came to Galatasaray’s stadium and watched him.
“Galatasaray have an expectation of 40 million Euros. If this offer comes, they may sell him.”
Turkey star has been compared to Phil Foden and Gareth Bale
In addition to West Ham and Nottingham Forest, Aston Villa and Newcastle United also watched on as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer led his Besiktas side to a shock win over the runaway Super Lig leaders.
Alper Yilmaz failed to exert his usual influence that day. But, with 12 goals and six assists to his name, this has been another impressive campaign from the adaptable forward.
Alper Yilmaz led the line for Turkey at Euro 2024, putting his speed in behind the opposite backline to very good use. At club level, however, the 24-year-old has featured most regularly cutting in from the left wing this season.
He has also been fielded on the right, as a centre-forward, and even in both full-back positions.
Alper Yilmaz was likened to Phil Foden and Gareth Bale by one Turkish coach, meanwhile, with other comparisons being drawn to Kylian Mbappe.
“They usually compare me to Mbappe,” Yilmaz once told TRT Spor. “(But) the biggest name I take as an example is Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Of course, I have dreams. As a Turk, I want to represent my country abroad [but] I do not look into transfer matters at all. I am focused on my work. My agent deals with those issues.
“If it happens, what is necessary will be done. (But) I love watching the Premier League.”
“I compare Baris Alper Yilmaz to Gareth Bale in terms of strength. He has the ability to sprint three or four meters after eliminating the opponent with the ball,” argues Ilker Puren, Yilmaz’s former coach at Ankara Keciorengucu speaking to GS Gazete.
“One day, he will definitely play in the Premier League because physics comes to the fore there. He has also improved his positional knowledge.
“The level he is at now is close to Phil Foden.”
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