Following Sacha Boey's transfer to Bayern Munich, Galatasaray is searching for a stable right-back and has reportedly identified Brentford's Michael Kayode as a significant transfer target. The 22-year-old Italian player, who also holds Nigerian citizenship, drew the interest of the club's technical staff with his performance in his senior national team debut against Turkey in a UEFA Nations League match, where he scored one goal and contributed to another. In total, he has earned 2 caps and scored 1 goal for Italy. His strong physique, high tempo, and offensive contributions were particularly noted. It is stated that Galatasaray does not plan to make an immediate move for the player, whose market value is listed as 40 million Euros. The club will reportedly contact Brentford if Wilfried Singo is sold, with a transfer being considered for either the January or June window. Kayode joined Brentford in July 2025 on a contract that is valid until 2032.
Several other top clubs, including Arsenal, Tottenham, and Juventus, have also been recently linked with him. The management is said to view Kayode as a long-term solution but will not act hastily on a transfer due to the high cost and will instead monitor Brentford's demands. The technical staff reportedly values his athleticism and versatility. Brentford's asking price has been consistently high, and reports in mid-2026 cited a valuation between €35 million and €40 million. This is a significant increase from the reported €17.5 million fee paid to Fiorentina for his transfer.
