Galatasaray makes its mark on final day of transfer window

ISTANBUL

DHA Photo

Galatasaray was the busiest Turkish club on the final day of the summer transfer window, which ended at midnight on Aug. 31, sending away five players and bringing in two new names.

The defending Spor Toto Super League champion sold Brazilian midfielder Felipe Melo to Italian giant Inter Milan for a reported fee of 3.7 million euros ($4.17 million), which could go up to 5.2 million euros ($5.9 million) with bonuses, while the Italians also snatched Brazilian defender Alex Telles on loan for a reported fee of 1.55 million euros ($1.75 million), with an option to buy for 8.5 million euros ($9.6 million).

Galatasaray also lent three more players: Swiss midfielder Blerim Dzemaili to Italian club Genoa, Turkish midfielder Umut Gündoğan to PTT League One side Şanlıurfaspor and Argentinian winger Lucas Ontivero to Olimpija Ljubljana of Slovenia.

The Istanbul club also brought in two players on the last day of the transfer window. 

Manchester City center back Jason Denayer joined the club on a season-long loan, according to a statement on the Premier League club’s website. 

The 20-year-old Belgian international spent last season on loan at Celtic, where he made 29 league starts and won the Scottish Premier League Young Player of the Year award. 

Galatasaray also sealed the transfer of 27-year-old Borussia Dortmund wing back Kevin Grosskreutz. The five-time Germany capped Grosskreutz spent the past six years in Dortmund, making 176 appearances.

With the latest transfers, Galatasaray sent a record 22 players from the squad in the summer transfer window, bringing in 11 new players, hoping to go further in the upcoming Champions League group stage competition, in which it will play against Benfica, Atletico Madrid and Astana in Group C.

Also on the final day of the transfer window, Juventus bolstered its depleted midfield following the departure of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal by signing Hernanes from Inter Milan and upcoming Frenchman Mario Lemina from Marseille.

Hernanes, known for his great ball control and play-making skills, signed a three-year deal worth 11 million euros ($12.4 million) to become Juve’s second signing on the final day of the summer transfer period after France under-21 midfielder Lemina, who joined on a season-long loan deal.

A statement on Hernanes said, “Juventus Football Club can confirm that an agreement has been reached with Inter Milan for the purchase of Anderson Hernanes for a fee of 11 million euros, payable in three financial years.

“The deal may increase by a further 2 million euros should certain sporting targets stipulated in the agreement be achieved before June 30, 2018.

“The player has signed a three-year contract with the club.”  

In the Premier League, Barcelona midfielder Alex Song rejoined West Ham United on a season-long loan. 

The 27-year-old Cameroonian spent last season on loan at the Hammers as well, after failing to nail down a regular starting spot with the Spanish champions, who he joined from Arsenal for a reported 15 million pounds ($23 million) in 2012. 

He made 31 appearances for the Hammers last season and scored thrice in the league.