Galatasaray only managed to complete the signings of Tottenham Hotspur duo Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele after sealing Champions League qualification, the Premier League pair finally arriving in September.
That is according to Erden Timur, Galatasaray’s deputy chairman reflecting on a negotiation who’s success rested largely upon the outcome of a Champions League play-off against Norwegian outfit Molde at the end of August.
Only after seeing off Molde – Gala won 5-3 on aggregate – could the Turkish champions progress in talks with Tottenham Hotspur, Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele swapping London for Istanbul after failing to win over Ange Postecoglou.
Tottenham secure double-deal with Galatasaray
“In order to increase (our budget), we had to qualify for the Champions League,” Timur tells Fanatik. “We had to keep the players waiting until that money arrived.
“If we had not qualified for the Champions League, we would not have been able to complete the signings of Davinson Sanchez and Ndombele.
“We had to control our manoeuvres until then.”
Sanchez and Ndombele, big-money signings from Ajax and Lyon respectively, set Tottenham back a staggering £99 million. In the end, the former departed for just £13 million, the latter joining Galatasaray on loan on the same day.
Davinson Sanchez impressing in Turkey
Of the two, Sanchez has clearly made the bigger and more immediate impact too. While Ndombele has just one start to his name thus far – familiar concerns arising over his fitness and his application – Sanchez is already a key part of a Galatasaray squad dreaming of Champions League knockout stage football following that dramatic 3-2 win away at Manchester United.
“I think Sanchez has made a significant contribution to the team. Both in terms of his aerial ability and his ability of push the team forward,” smiles Galatasaray coach Ismail Kartal, impressed by his new Colombian colossus (Sporx).
“(Sanchez) is eager and motivated. He also gives significant support to the team by motivating them.”
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