Galatasaray ‘may sign’ Messi, Neymar after Fenerbahçe grabs Nani, Van Persie

ISTANBUL

AFP photo

Hours after Galatasaray signed Lukas Podolski, its chairman has said the Turkish football giant’s next targets could be Lionel Messi and Neymar to compete with rival Fenerbahçe’s recent signing of Nani and reported agreement in principle with Robin Van Persie.

“We already have two world-class Number 10s,” Galatasaray Chairman Dursun Özbek said on the club’s broadcaster on July 5, referring to Podolski and Dutch star Wesley Sneijder. Addressing the excited fans, Özbek continued: “As the third and the fourth such names, we can bring in Messi and Neymar in the future.”

On July 4, 30-year-old German striker Podolski joined Galatasaray from Arsenal on a three-year deal, with the Turkish club paying about 1.8 million pounds ($2.8 million).

Weeks before the new Turkish league season starts, Fenerbahçe responded to the Turkish champions’ big move by signing Portuguese winger Nani from Manchester United. 

Huge crowds greeted the 28-year-old star at the airport in Istanbul late July 5. “I really am very happy to be here now,” Nani said. “I see this as a new opportunity in my career. This is an opportunity for me to show myself. I want to be successful.”

According to reports, Fenerbahçe also has eyes for another Manchester United star. The Guardian reported on July 4 that the Yellow Canaries reached an agreement in principle with 31-year-old Dutch striker Robin Van Persie.

The league’s runners-up have already completed the transfers of Lille center-back Simon Kjaer, Atletico PR striker Fernandao and Bursaspor full-back Şener Özbayraklı on four-year deals, while loaning Porto duo Abdoulaye Ba and Fabiano.