Reigning champions Galatasaray, aiming to strengthen their squad, have added Yusuf Akçiçek to their list. The management has reportedly initiated contact with Al Hilal for the 20-year-old Turkish national center-back, and coach Okan Buruk has approved the move. This development follows recent claims that Fenerbahçe had also made an offer for their former player.
The Saudi club is said to be receptive to a transfer because Akçiçek has received limited playing time due to foreign player restrictions. For Galatasaray, acquiring the defender would help fill the center-back position with a domestic player. It would also ease the homegrown player quota for the Champions League because he is a product of their academy. The defender joined Al-Hilal in September 2025, made 12 appearances in the Saudi Pro League last season, and has earned 3 caps for Türkiye. His contract with the Saudi club runs until June 30, 2029. His market value is listed by Transfermarkt as €14.00m.
