Latest news with #Galatasaray
Daily Mirror
9 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Mesut Ozil clarifies role in surprise transfer as Arsenal missed out on deal
Arsenal were previously interested in a deal for former Bayern Munich star Leroy Sane, only for him to seal a shock move to Turkish giants Galatasaray - and now Mesut Ozil has now spoken out on the switch Mesut Ozil insists he did not have a role to play in Leroy Sane rejecting Arsenal in favour of Galatasaray. The Gunners were thought to be interested in a move for former Bayern Munich star Sane earlier this summer. He was out of contract with the German giants at the end of this month. But he surprisingly chose to pursue an exit, having penned a lucrative deal with Turkish giants Galatasaray. Reports have suggested that former Arsenal star Ozil was pivotal to the move having convinced him to move to Istanbul, a claim that he denies. Speaking to local Turkish media outlets, Ozil said: 'Big names are coming to Turkey. They are playing football here. 'Hopefully, our big clubs will also be successful in Europe. I am very happy that Sane has come to Turkey. He is someone who, like me, has come from the Schalke youth academy.' When asked about the claims he had a role to play in Sane's decision, Ozil confirmed the pair did talk - but not specifically about Galatasaray. He added: 'We talked before I came to Turkey, but it's not like I directed him to Galatasaray as written in the media... 'He asked about life in Turkey and Istanbul, we talked about these things. I said it was a very beautiful city and a safe city. I said we have incredible food. I said we would be very happy if you came, and he came. We wish him success, too." Sane, 29, has already spoken out on his surprise switch to Turkey. Before agreeing terms with Galatasaray, it looked as though he would commit his future to Bayern only to u-turn. Explaining why he made that call, he said: "The decision wasn't easy for me. My time here wasn't always easy, but there were also many highlights. I felt at home here, I enjoyed last season a lot, and I've been able to make many friends within the team over the years." He added: "Even if the media portrayed it that way, there was never a 100 percent agreement. Unfortunately, in my opinion, that put unnecessary pressure on all parties involved. But it is what it is now – I'm not angry with anyone." Sane is expected to earn a huge wage during his time in Turkey having reportedly put pen to paper on a three-year deal worth over £10m per season. Bayern Munich confirmed after his move was announced that Sane would still be in action for them at the Club World Cup until his contract expired on June 30. DAZN has the rights to the full competition in the UK and the only way football fans can watch every game of the tournament free is by signing up here as part of a DAZN Freemium subscription.
Yahoo
12 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Morata on Como shortlist despite ongoing Galatasaray commitment
Reports in Italy claim that Spain national team captain Alvaro Morata, who is still owned by Milan, could be an option for Como in the summer transfer window, despite the player's ongoing loan deal with Galatasaray. Morata joined Milan in the last summer transfer window, in 2024, after the Rossoneri agreed to pay the €13m release clause in the Spaniard's contract with Atletico Madrid. Advertisement The first half of the 2024-25 season did not get off to the smoothest of starts for Morata, or for the Rossoneri collectively. Head coach Paulo Fonseca, who had only taken over in the summer, was sacked at the end of December, and Morata followed him out of the door soon afterwards. epa11819103 AC Milan's Alvaro Morata celebrates after scoring the 1-0 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and Cagliari Calcio, in Milan, Italy, 11 January 2025. EPA-EFE/MATTEO BAZZI In the end, Morata joined Galatasaray on loan with a series of options to buy. Galatasaray paid a fee of €6m to bring Morata in on loan for 12 months, until January of 2026. They have an option to extend that loan deal until June 2026 for an additional €3m, and have options to buy in January 2026 for €8m and in June 2026 for €9m. Morata on Como shortlist for 2025-26 ISTANBUL, TURKEY – FEBRUARY 9: Alvaro Moarta of Galatasaray celebrates after scoring his team's first goal during the Turkish Super League match between Galatasaray and Adana Demirspor at Rams Park Stadium on February 9, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by) However, according to reports from Morata is also on the shortlist for Como, who are reportedly targeting a spot in the European places in Serie A next season. Advertisement Gianluca Di Marzio adds that there has already been contact between the Spain international and compatriot Fabregas. Cesc Fabregas's side are backed by the wealthiest owners of any club in Serie A, and also have the benefit of a strong relationship between the coach and Morata, who played together at Chelsea and for the Spain national team. PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 26: In this handout image provided by UEFA, Spain players attend a press conference at Stade de France on June 26, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Handout/UEFA via Getty Images) Thursday's report claims that there is a possibility that Como look to interrupt the loan and options to buy agreement between Milan and Galatasaray in order to bring the 32-year-old back to Serie A for the start of the 2025-26 season. Cagliari's Roberto Piccoli has also been mentioned as a possible option for Como.
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jose Mourinho's bold comment to Abramovich to seal huge Chelsea transfer
Didier Drogba would become a Chelsea legend after his move from Marseille in 2004, but Jose Mourinho has revealed how he had to bravely convince Roman Abramovich to sign him Former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho once boldly told ex-club owner Roman Abramovich to simply "pay and don't speak" for Blues legend Didier Drogba. Chelsea signed the Ivorian from Marseille for £24million in July 2004, and ended up with a Stamford Bridge hero. With Abramovich's financial revolution at Chelsea gathering pace at the time, Mourinho instructed his employer that he must have the powerful striker in his ranks. And he did not have time for the Russian's questions, risking his standing with the billionaire. "[Roman] Abramovich was asking me, 'Who do you want for the striker?' All the big names in Europe at that time, I told 'Drogba,'" Mourinho relayed. "(Abramovich asked) 'Who is he? Where does he play? Where is he playing?' (I replied) 'Mr Abramovich, pay. Pay and don't speak'. And Didier was an iconic player for Chelsea, for the Premier League." True to Mourinho's insistence, Drogba illustrated his extraordinary talent right off the bat by netting 16 goals despite battling injuries in his inaugural season. He went on to win the Premier League on three occasions, four FA Cups and the Champions League in his first stint at the club. The Ivorian icon eventually moved to Shanghai Shenhua after eight seasons, but he didn't last long in the Chinese Super League. He quickly made his way to European football with Galatasaray, reports Football London. "I played [against] him [Drogba] when I was in Madrid and he was with [Wesley] Sneijder in Galatasaray - they almost killed me, but they didn't and he was fantastic also for Galatasaray," Mourinho added. "Then he came back to Chelsea and I told him, 'You are not number one anymore, but I need you here to help me with the team, with the more experienced players, with the [Eden] Hazards, with the Willians, with the young guys'. He was phenomenal again. There are players with their character and personality, and they are important from day one in their career." In an interview with BBC Football Focus in 2018, Drogba revealed that Mourinho's admiration was reciprocated. "He changed my life, he changed the story of my family," said Drogba. "He told me if you want to be the best, you have to come and play with one of the best teams in the world and one of the best managers in the world… no, the best manager in the world. Everyone was saying £24m was a lot of money. People doubted. When I left, I think the way everyone reacted, I think I covered the investment." In two spells with Chelsea, Drogba, now 47, scored an incredible 164 goals in 381 games. His legend is cemented with the Ivory Coast star also winning the Premier League Golden Boot in 2006/07 and 2009/10. After his second spell in West London, he wrapped up his career with MLS sides Montreal Impact and then with Phoenix Rising in 2018.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ornstein delivers Osimhen update on Premier League interest
Victor Osimhen is unlikely to move to the Premier League with no firm movement from English clubs as things stand. Osimhen is assessing his options after returning to Napoli from a loan spell at Galatasaray. The Nigerian scored 37 goals in 41 games to fire Galatasaray to a league and cup double and the Turkish champions are pushing to sign the player permanently. Advertisement Osimhen's €75m release clause is an obstacle to that deal, while the forward has rejected a move to Saudi side Al-Hilal. Several English teams have been linked, including Manchester United and Chelsea, but there are no concrete proposals from England at present. The Athletic journalist David Ornstein has offered an update on Osimhen's situation ahead of an expected summer transfer. 'What is his priority? We don't know for certain. Premier League clubs are always heavily linked with him,' he told The Athletic Podcast. 'Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and no doubt they admire him. How wouldn't they admire him as a striker, a top player? But that doesn't necessarily translate into doing the deal. Advertisement 'The stumbling block for Premier League clubs, so far, appears to be one, the salary expectations, and two, maybe he's not deemed to be the right character for them. The profile of what they're looking for in terms of age, where he fits into the team and dressing room. 'Clearly, Galatasaray are making moves to try and get him on a permanent basis. Clearly, there doesn't appear to be a future at Napoli where a sale is on the cards. This is another one where don't have a completely concrete picture at the moment and could develop as the summer goes on. Premier League clubs could change Osimhen stance 'Do some of the Premier League clubs on the continent start to change their stance and be a bit more liberal with their numbers? If they get to a point where they're not landing their priority targets, where they're starting to panic. If the season starts and they're struggling for results or to score goals and he comes back on the agenda as an alternative. Advertisement 'I'm really fascinated to see what does unfold with Osimhen. Personally, I'd love to see him in the Premier League but there's no movement towards that, firmly, as things stand.' Read – Every Premier League team's start ranked by difficulty See more – PFA Young Player of the Year shortlist revealed Follow The Football Faithful on Social Media: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube | TikTok
Daily Mail
18 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Spain captain Alvaro Morata demands a return to his former club - despite spell in Turkey saving his marriage to Italian model Alice Campello following post-Euros split
Spain captain Alvaro Morata has demanded a return to his former club - despite his stay in Turkey saving his marriage. Morata, 32, split with his Italian influencer wife Alice Campello, 30, after his country's European Championship win last summer, but they rekindled their relationship in January this year. The glamorous couple met in 2016 and have four young children — Alessandro, Leonardo (twins), Edoardo, and Bella — but announced last August that they were going their separate ways seven years after tying the knot. Referencing the break-up, the model said: 'It was the biggest mistake we've ever made in our lives.' In a separate interview with Hola magazine, Campello admitted that the couple's move to Turkey has strengthened their marriage, with Morata joining Galatasaray on loan from AC Milan at the start of February. Now, however, as quoted by Spanish publication Diario AS, Morata is trying to force through a move to Spain, in the form of his ex-side Getafe. Morata joined Turkish giants Galatasaray in January after revealing he was back with his wife Reports have suggested the star split with Italian model Alice Campello after an argument on the pitch after Euro 2024 Reports of a potential move back to Spain for Morata are thought to have surfaced from Turkey. He then appeared to confirm that that could happen sooner rather than later, saying this week: 'I'm going to do everything I can to play for Getafe... I would like to return to Spain. I'll choose what makes my family happiest.' What makes his family happiest, though, may be staying in Turkey. Campello said: 'I think it's been very good for us to be in a place where we're alone again. 'We're relaxed there, with our family. People don't stop us so much on the street, and we can live a much more normal life, and at this stage of our lives, it's been good for us.' She also said of her relationship: 'We repeat it every day — I don't know how we could have made that decision. This experience has taught us both a lot because we understood what it's like to be without each other.' Morata also opened up on his battle against depression, admitting he almost did not make it to Germany to captain Spain to Euro 2024 glory. The forward, who received heavy criticism from both fans and journalists in the build-up to the tournament, said: 'When you have really tough times, depression, panic attacks, it doesn't matter what job you do, what situation you have in life, you have another person inside that you have to fight against every day and every night.' Getafe president Angel Torres, meanwhile, said: 'It's very nice. Since he left, he's said many times that he wanted to come back.
