- EXCLUSIVE from Graeme Bailey
Baris Alper Yilmaz caught the eye of Premier League giants Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United during Turkey’s Euro 2024 campaign with a departure from Galatasaray now on the cards.
HITC understands that Vincenzo Montella’s free-wheeling Turkey side were one of the most scouted teams during this summer’s European Championships, with many members of their squad now being linked with moves.
Ferdi Kadioglu had already emerged on the radar of Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur before the tournament even begun, HITC reported in the winter, with Fenerbahce now facing a challenging holding onto their right-footed left-back.
Ismael Yuksek, Kadioglu’s Fener team-mate, also has Premier League admirers.
Baris Alper Yilmaz, meanwhile, is emerging as a man in high demand himself after leading the line for Montella on route to the quarter-finals over in Germany.
Liverpool and Arsenal eye Turkey star Baris Alper Yilmaz
HITC have been told that Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle United have expressed their interest, via intermediaries.
This comes on the back of previous interest from Aston Villa, Tottenham, Manchester United, Bournemouth and Brighton.
Yilmaz was a key part of the Galatasaray side which claimed the Super Lig title in 2024, smashing the 100-point barrier in the process. In all competitions, Yilmaz scored seven goals while providing a further 12 assists at club level.
The 24-year-old did not manage to find the net during Euro 2024, however, despite being deployed as a central striker by Montella. That is not to say he did not impress though, Yilmaz running defenders ragged with his explosive pace and never-ending energy reserves.
Former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon was full of praise after watching Yilmaz give Liverpool colossus Virgil van Dijk a very tough evening during Saturday’s unfortunate 2-1 defeat to the Dutch in the last-eight.
“That really is outstanding play,” Dixon told ITV Sport as Yilmaz drew a free-kick from Van Dijk after a trademark burst of acceleration. “Sometimes, he just turns on the burners at the last minute you think you’re gonna get the tackle in.
“Van Dijk thought that and he then just goes that little bit extra. (Yilmaz) puts everything into every minute in every game.”
Sources speaking to HITC on behalf of Galatasaray, meanwhile, have confirmed that clubs in Germany, Spain and Italy are also pursuing the reportedly £22 million-rated Yilmaz, with his departure now a very real possibility.
Likened to Bale, Foden and Kylian Mbappe
Yilmaz played as a centre-forward for Turkey but it’s his versatility which marks him out as a potentially inspired addition. One scout has likened him to Real Madrid’s all-action general Fede Valverde, with Yilmaz playing on both wings, as a full-back and through the middle at Galatasaray.
Valverde is not the only player Yilmaz has been likened to. The man himself admits there has been comparisons with Kylian Mbappe, while has also also been mentioned in the same breath as Gareth Bale and Manchester City superstar Phil Foden.
“I compare Baris Alper Yilmaz to Gareth Bale in terms of strength. He has the ability to sprint 3-4 meters after eliminating the opponent with the ball,” former coach Ilker Puren tells the 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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