Is Champions League luring big names to Turkish football?
Liverpool and Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah received multiple lucrative offers from Saudi Pro League clubs over several transfer windows, including heavy interest from teams like Al-Ittihad, but ultimately chose to bypass them in August to sign a two-year deal with Turkish club Trabzonspor. And all of a sudden it seems the Turkish Super Lig has again revived interest among top players who are…
Large football clubs, particularly from Saudi Pro League, have been keen to secure superstar players like Mohamed Salah, but have ultimately chosen Turkish sides such as Trabzonspor, Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, and Besiktas, according to a report. This shift in interest follows Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr in 2022, which led to several high-profile transfers by Saudi clubs.
Despite the allure of hefty salaries in the Saudi Pro League, players seem to be drawn to the opportunity to participate in the prestigious Champions League. Former Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku recently joined Fenerbahce, expressing enthusiasm about his new role and commitment to the team. Belgian football star Lukaku, who holds the record for Belgium's all-time leading scorer with 93 goals, has joined Belgium's squad for the 2026 World Cup, scoring three goals during their quarter-final run.
This development has increased the competitiveness of Turkish clubs, with notable additions like Mason Greenwood from Manchester United. Other high-profile signings include Leandro Trossard from Arsenal and Gabriel Martinelli from Arsenal, as well as Victor Osimhen from Napoli. Turkish clubs, including Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Trabzonspor, and Besiktas, have already attracted several major players in recent years.
While the Saudi Pro League has never witnessed top-tier teams advancing beyond the quarter-finals of the Champions League, Turkish clubs are actively attempting to bridge this gap in the upcoming season.
Written by urgent.news from Gulf News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
