Turkish journalist: Galatasaray failed Bruno Fernandes, but
According to Championat.
Context
24-year-old Aleksei Batrakov stood out in the Russian League with Lokomotiv, where he scored 17 goals and made 12 assists last season. His creative playing style and ability to play as an attacking midfielder make him a valuable addition for Galatasaray, who are looking for a player to take over the '10' position following Mertens' departure.
Why this matters
Galatasaray's signing of Алексей Батраков is significant, especially after their failure to secure Bruno Fernandes. The Russian player, who had an impressive season at Lokomotiv, can bring the creativity and finishing ability that the Turkish team needs, especially following the departure of Dries Mertens. His arrival could reinforce Galatasaray's aspirations in the Süper Lig, where competitiveness is high.
Main conclusions
- Turkish journalist: Galatasaray failed Bruno Fernandes, but.
- Galatasaray accelerates through Aleksei Batrakov (Lokomotiv) after a failed attempt by Bruno Fernandes.
- Турецкий журналист: «Галатасарай» не смог подписать Бруну, но и Батракова оценивает высоко - Чемпионат.
Galatasaray will be close to securing the signing of Aleksei Batrakov, Lokomotiv Moscow's attacking midfielder, after having seen out the possibility of recruiting Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United. The information was provided by Cenk Çınar, a Turkish journalist who closely follows the Istanbul club's current affairs, in statements to the Russian portal Championat.
According to the same source, Galatasaray is in the final stages of negotiations with Lokomotiv and the player himself, with details related to agent commissions yet to be agreed. The overall value of the deal, including bonuses, is expected to be €30 million, to be paid in installments over two years. Batrakov's annual salary will be around €4 million. The journalist also adds that the Russian international's arrival in Istanbul is expected next week, if everything goes as planned.
Cenk Çınar emphasizes that the initial priority for the '10' position was Bruno Fernandes, captain of Manchester United, but the dossier did not progress. After the departure of Dries Mertens, Galatasaray has been looking for a creative man to take over between the lines and Okan Buruk, coach of the Turkish champions, gave the green light to Batrakov's arrival, after observing him and highlighting his speed and game intelligence.
Batrakov, 24 years old (age not specified in source; contextual information omitted), had a highly impactful season in 2023/24, playing 36 official games for Lokomotiv, with 17 goals and 12 assists in all competitions. The attacking midfielder has a contract with the Moscow club until the summer of 2029, a fact that helps explain the financial dimension of the Turkish proposal. According to the Transfermarkt portal, its market price stands at €28 million.
If confirmed, the transfer will represent one of the biggest recent investments in Turkish football for a player playing in Russia and will place Batrakov at the center of Galatasaray's project for the new season, in a role that the club considers strategic to maintain internal hegemony and increase competitiveness in European competitions. The player's profile – arrival in the area, last pass and finishing ability – aligns with the need for a '10' capable of fueling the attack and deciding games in short spaces.
It is important to emphasize that all amounts and deadlines mentioned are based on information shared by Cenk Çınar to Championat. So far, neither Galatasaray nor Lokomotiv have made any official statement about the deal public. Still, the market trend and the Istanbul club's recent history of investing in key pieces for offensive maneuvers give weight to the possibility of a favorable outcome in the coming weeks.
On the other hand, the reference to Bruno Fernandes as the first option highlights Galatasaray's ambition for the position, although the operation with Manchester United was, from the outset, complex in execution. Given this scenario, Batrakov appears as the preferred target, with a positive assessment from coach Okan Buruk and an immediate fit with the team's ideas.
What happens next
With negotiations in the final stages, Алексей Батраков is expected to arrive in Istanbul next week if the final details are resolved quickly. Galatasaray, under the guidance of Okan Buruk, should include the player in the squad for the next phase of the season, where his speed and game intelligence will be crucial. The expectation is that the transfer will help the team regain ground in the Süper Lig.
Frequently asked questions
What happened to Bruno Fernandes' transfer?
Galatasaray failed to recruit Bruno Fernandes from Manchester United.
Who confirmed the Aleksei Batrakov deal?
The information was provided by Cenk Çınar, a Turkish journalist who follows Galatasaray's current affairs.
Why are Galatasaray pushing for Aleksei Batrakov now?
After the departure of Dries Mertens, Galatasaray is looking for a creative player for the '10' position, and Okan Buruk gave the green light to Batrakov's arrival.
What are the financial details of Batrakov's transfer?
The overall value of the
will be set at €30 million, to be paid in installments over two years.
What changes are Galatasaray making to their team?
Galatasaray are looking for an attacking midfielder to replace Dries Mertens and are close to securing the signing of Aleksei Batrakov.