As Galatasaray limped to 13th place last term – officially their worst ever finish in the Super Lig – Sacha Boey’s decision to turn down Celtic in favour of a £2 million move to Turkey appeared to have aged like a carton of Cravendale spilled on a Persian rug and left out to dry in the Istanbul sun.
“Yes, Celtic wanted to sign me,” the former Rennes right-back explained at the time. “When I had to make a decision, I chose Galatasaray because it was a bigger club. That’s why I chose Galatasaray.
“I know Galatasaray from my childhood and the matches they played in Europe. There were games they played against PSG before. I came to Turkey to improve myself and I will do the necessary work to achieve this.”
Boey, at least, has been true to his word.
The 22-year-old Frenchman has, as promised, taken his game to a whole new level in the Turkish capital. So much so that, according to Defensa Central, European champions Real Madrid have sent scouts to watch him in action. So too have Lyon, Marseille and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, per Takvim; Galatasaray potentially set for a massive profit on a now £13 million-rated player they signed for just 15 months ago.
Galatasaray’s Sacha Boey turned down Celtic
Whether any of these clubs are seriously ready to put their mouth is remains to be seen. But, evidently, Boey’s reputation has not been tainted by Galatasaray’s nightmare 2021/22 campaign.
France international and former Lyon captain Leo Dubois has even had to fill in at left-back, including during the recent 0-0 draw with Super Lig leaders Adana Demirspor, with Boey firmly established as Galatasaray’s first-choice on the right.
Boey, by turning down Celtic, denied himself a Scottish Premiership winners’ medal, Champions League football and the chance to hone his considerable talents under one of Europe’s finest man-managers in Ange Postecoglou.
A move to Real Madrid or Liverpool, however, would be some consolation.
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