What happened in 2019 in Turkish football?

Galatasaray had a mixture year but with league title it would be seen as successful.

When summarising most successful clubs during 2018 calendar year, it would be foolish not to start with title holders Galatasaray who has managed to get title on May of 2018 at the Super League. This year has also been dominated by head coach Fatih Terim who has joined in December.

When Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim has returned to the team his main aim of the team has been to bring once more very strong and successful Galatasaray. Even through it is hard to state that team has been performing in way which he was seeking for, during 2nd half of the last season it did winning spirit and has won very important performance which led them get league title with last week win against Galatasaray at one of the most memorable title races of the last years. As most clubs, Galatasaray has also been affected by FFP which led them to not have a very good transfer window and with losing Bafetembi Gomis due of players calling for raise has affected negatively. Without finding replacement of him at the squad, the team has been left with only Eren Derdiyok as an attacker player. Galatasaray did carry on providing good start during on-going performance but post-game incedent which took place between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, where both sides had intense fight which include number of players and technical staff recieving bans from PFDK. With high amount of bans and Fatih Terim not being able to coach team for 10 games, and would miss some games in 2019, Galatasaray wasnt able to show great performance. Another aspect for side, has been dissapointing performance of the side at Champions League where it has god reasonably easy group but has only managed to get win against Lokomotiv Moscow in the openning game of the group stage. Therefore, it could be seen as mixture year for Galatasaray without doubt but it would be entering to new year with much higher ambitions.

Galatasaray would be starting 2nd half of the season with 6 points behind league leaders Basaksehirspor and at knockout stage of Europa League with latter it would be aiming to repeat success of 2000. But its important for Galatasaray to make crucial transfers in this mid-season transfer window.

Basaksehirspor did have successful 2018 and enters to 2019 with high hopes. 

Another team which did have successful 2018 season especially when coming to domestic football has been Basaksehirspor as it has entered to last week of previous season with still chance to get league title and has entered to mid-season break in current season with 6-point advantage in the top.

Without doubt one of the most organised sides at the Turkish Super League is being Basaksehirspor who does have very focussed squad and high concentration among players. Another strong aspect, which tends to be downside but this time it was able to turn into advantage, is high average age of the players as it has also transfer Arda Turan in January. Stating that Arda Turan has mainly been seen problematic to the team, as he has attacked to referee during Sivasspor game during last season and also a fight against Turkish singer Berkay who proved by many as very agressive person. It needs to be noted, that compare to last season, Basaksehirspor is playing much more economical football with getting wins with 1 goal difference for most amount of games and losing speed which could be connected for a team to raise its average age this season. Still it has highly focussed team aiming to go for result rather than much about beautiful game. Still their task could be tough one as it would need to have pushing effect and this would only come from their supporters which is as known is lacking at the team right now. Still it does have an advantage of getting experienced from last seasons as it always fought for league title towards end of the season including entering to last week of last season with chance to get title.

Basaksehirspor as a team has all reasons to be feeling optimistic to get league title in 2019 as far as it would be able to focus for their aim as their have 6 points but as league would get more difficult as season progresses it could pretty difficult for them.

Trabzonspor would be enter at high note on 2019.

Trabzonspor has been among sides which has shown huge improvement as 2018 was progressing as it has started the year with very mediocre aims but now has entered to 2019 with some hopes of getting league title during this season.

One of the main aspects which has been during this season for Trabzonspor to improve has been start of reign as CEO of Ahmet Agaoglu who has focussed into realistically into financial situation at the team and providing real aims for this clubs. This realistic approach, rather than providing into populist talks, of his predeccosors has allowed team to see aims which team could success in this situation. With appointment as head coach of Unal Karaman without doubt has also played an important role towards team to achieve as he was able to build concentration and more importantly feeling of players to stay together as team as it is reported that number of players has provided lots of sacrifices for team. Another aspect for Trabzonspor has been focussed into younger players who has shown a very good performance especially of Abdulkadir Omur and Yusuf Yazici who has high potentiality to become even better players in upcoming seasons especially on 2019 year. Only problems of the team has been reaction of Burak Yilmaz and Omur Kivrak, who are main players of the squad who have been calling for their salaries to be paid even through being aware into difficulty side at economically. Stating that and parodixocally team has shown even better performance after those two players has left team.

Trabzonspor would be entering to 2019 as one of the contenders for league title, and with actually showing great performance during last games of 2018 that if it would be able to carry on such high level performance could lead them to get to happy ending this season.

In other news:

- Basaksehirspor would have mid-season friendly games against Kukesi on 9th January and Ado Den Haag on 11th January.

- Trabzonspor considers to extend contract with its player Hugo Rodallega for 1+1 years.

- Besiktas has offered its player Mustafa Pektemek to Genclerbirligi in return of Ahmet Oguz.

- Monaco has offered 7 million euro for Besiktas player Domadoj Vida but club requests 9 million euro.

- Akhisarspor head coach Cihat Arslan: We are thinking to make 3 transfers during this mid-season transfer window. We like to see Fernandao, but he wants to continue in Brasil. We would also like to see Mugdat Celik.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Besiktas player Tolgay Arslan.

- Trabzonspor player Olcay Sahan wants to stay at his club at least until end of the season.

- Lille are interested to transfer Bursaspor player Umut Meras.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Chapocoence player Leandro Pereira.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Manchester United player Marcos Rojo.

- Juventus player Benatia wants to join Besiktas during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce player Porto player Hector Herrera.

- Besiktas player Vagner Love has made 400,000 euro salary deal with Santos.

- Fenerbahce player Volkan Demirel will have meeting with club's CEO Ali Koc to discuss about him being out of squad.

What happened in Turkish football today? 30/12/2018

Serdar Aziz would have meeting with Galatasaray head coach Fatih Terim.

Future of the Galatasaray player Serdar Aziz is still taking into different directions as it became clear that player is currently willing to meet with club head coach Fatih Terim to make a defence of himself explaining why he left to Maldives into solution.

As it is known, the issue between Serdar Aziz and Galatasaray has been started as he has travelled to Maldives after not coming to Super League 17th week game against Sivasspor due of pain at the stomach. Serdar Aziz is currently looking ways to keep himself at the team mainly due of the factor that he also doesnt see hismelf as doing wrong actions and make it clear why their is disagreement between sides. As he would meet with Fatih Terim, he has informed his manager not to look for another club but it needs to be mentioned that their is of course that Serdar Aziz did feel uncomfortable prior to game and has recovered from an injury so it is important for such meeting to take place and aim to keep himself at the side. It would be very important how this meeting would go and would certainly define future of the player at the side.

Right now, Fatih Terim is located at USA during his break and is expected to be arriving to Istanbul after New Year and is very likely to meet with player as mid-season training camp would start.

Besiktas has made transfer deal with Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz.

Besiktas are reported to make transfer deal with Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz after on-going transfer negotiations and it would make final decision as mid-season transfer window.

It is known that Besiktas has started transfer negotiations with Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz as soon as it became that he was taken out of the squad and with both sides showing strong interest to each other has led them to have such a deal. It needs to be noted that this transfer would be an effective one for Besiktas as Burak Yilmaz is familiar to the Super League and also to Besiktas as he did show some good performance in previous seasons with Senol Gunes while his stay at Trabzonspor where he showed his best performance during 2010-11 season. This could be an important move to provide Burak Yilmaz to have a good level performance once again at the Trabzonspor if he would be focussing into high level performance once again with Besiktas.

As long as this rumour, it would be important to wait what kind of transfer deal would be made with Besiktas and Burak Yilmaz and more importantly with Trabzonspor.

Dusco Tosic could return to Besiktas this mid-season transfer window.

It became clear that Besiktas are interested to loan Guangzhou Evergrande player Dusco Tosic, who as it is known has been playing at the club for last few years and providing good level performance and played an important role for team success.

One of the strongest aspects of this transfer to take place would be that Dusco Tosic is familiar with the side and hence would not have any adaptation issues both to the league and teammates as squad didnt change a lot after he has left during last summer. It is also reported that Dusco Tosic is looking warm for such a deal to be made between sides in upcoming days and would be willing to join back Besiktas, as long as Guangzhou Evergrande would be able to loan their player to his previous club. It needs to be noted that with poor performance with Besiktas, Dusco Tosic absence has been felt a lot during this season and if he would be coming back to team, it would be able to strengthen at least weaknesses at defence.

For now this has been rumour and our blog would carry following if such loan would be made between Besiktas and Guangzhou Evergrance as mid-season transfer window would be started on 4th January.

In other news:

- Antalyaspor would play pre-season training camp Uerdingen on 8th January, Sandhausen on 10th January and Partizan on 11th January.

- Sivasspor would play pre-season friendly games against Partizani on 9th January and Sepsi on 13th January/

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Basaksehirspor player Visca.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Benfica player Cristian Lema.

- WestHamUnited are interested to loan Besiktas player Garry Medel.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Ajaccio player Fousseini Diabete.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Hoffenheim player Adam Szalai.

- Erzurumspor and Goztepe are interested to transfer Besiktas player Cyle Larin.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Leicester City player Caglar Soyuncu.

- Fenerbahce players Nabil Dirar and Aatif Chacheuhue considering to leave club during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Copenhagen player Robert Skov.

- Akhisarspor and Erzurumspor are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Mujdat Celik.

- YeniMalatyaspor are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Mustafa Akbas and Ankaragucu player Brice Dia Djedje.

- Erzurumspor are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Konyaspor player Adis Jahovic.

- Inter Milan has started transfer negotiations with Galatasaray player Ozan Kabak.

What happening in Turkish football today? 29/12/2018

Fenerbahce has announced that it has forgiven its players Nabil Dirar and Aatif Chachehouhue.

It has become clear today that Fenerbahce has forgiven their players Nabil Dirar and Aatif Chacheouhue after being out of squad for some number of the month after an argument both sides had with ex-head coach Phillip Cocu.

With Fenerbahce showing their worst performance at the Super League in their history, it was important for side to get into strong union and aiming to provide strong performance between sides. Due of that, Fenerbahce has decided to forgive those key players as it needs to be high amount of players at its disposal to get an important performance level. It is still unclear however if Volkan Demirel would be forgiven or not, but such a move from Ersun Yanal towards those players shows a very good judgement for both players and aim for them to get best results for sides as much as possible. It would be also important for both teams to show right reaction to the side and aim to raise up at the standings, fighting for high spots at the table.

Fenerbahce this decision could provide some positive feeling at the side which was also important for the team morale and concentration for getting better results at the upcoming weeks.

Serdar Aziz is likely to leave other top Istanbul clubs during January.

Future of the Galatasaray player Serdar Aziz is being unclear as player has met with candidate to discuss about his future with club and if he should have some transfer negotiations with other clubs.

It is reported that Besiktas and Fenerbahce are having also interest to transfer its player Serdar Aziz after it is reported that club has announced that it would be ending contract with him after he has travelled to Maldives just after Sivasspor where he didnt attend due of complain pain of stomach. Serdar Aziz is likely to leave team during this mid-season, as Galatasaray certainly makes it clear that their dont want to stay at the team. With Serdar Aziz as playing still showing some good performance at the team, he would be recieving some good offers including from other top clubs and looks to be one who would discussed lots during this mid-season transfer window as Besiktas and Fenerbahce would aim to sign him.

Future of the Serdar Aziz would become in upcoming weeks and our blog would follow in upcoming days and if he would be playing at this team or not.

Besiktas considers to sell its player Ricardo Quaresma during mid-season transfer window. 

It became clear that Besiktas is also considering to end contract with its player Ricardo Quaresma during this mid-season transfer window as player is showing poorer performances as time passes.
With Ricardo Quaresma getting older as player and losing effectiveness as team and keep continuing to show some poor discipline behaviour as player it would be normal to see that team considers to end contract with him. It also needs to be remembered that Besiktas is currently looking to sell its older players to get good cash in return and also reduce average age of the team which is currently pretty high. Surely, Ricardo Quaresma has been very effective for a team at recent period but his effectiveness for Besiktas has been reduced and even if he would not be sold during this transfer window, it would be also certain he would be sold during this summer transfer window.

Besiktas expects to be among most active teams especially with outgoing in this upcoming transfer window and would be aiming to sell some of the old players at the squad to possibly Arabic or Far East clubs.

In other news:

- Fenerbahce would play friendly game against Az Alkmaar on 11th January.

- Fenerbahce player Aatif Dirar and Nabil Dirar have been forgotten and will attend training session from 2nd January.

- AlIttihad are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Maicon.

- AlIttihad are interested to transfer Kasimpasa player Trezeguet.

- Zamalek are interested to transfer Yeni Malatyaspor player Khaled Boutaib.

- Trabzonspor and Sivasspor are interested to transfer Zenit player Magomed Ozdoyev.

- GlasgowRangers has offered James Tavernier to Fenerbahce in return of Martin Skrtel.

- RBLeipzig has changed its mind to transfer Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu.

- Bursaspor are interested to transfer Deportivo Alaves player Patrick Twumasi.

- Galatasaray player Serdar Aziz had a meeting with his manager to discuss about his future at club.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Younes Kaboul.

- Akhisarspor are interested to transfer Ankaragucu player Thievy Bifoulma, Besiktas are interested to Orkan Cinar and Kayserispor player Rajko Rotman.

- Unnamed Chinese club are interested to appoint Turkish National Team head coach Mircea Lucescu.

- Galatasaray player Serdar Aziz manager Haluk Canutar has stated that club is looking for new club and reasoning for end of contract wasnt given to them.

- Kasimpasa has made transfer deal with Sarbsporg player Tobias Heintz for 3-years.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Slavia Prague player Michael Ngadeu Ngadjeu

- BorussiaDortmund has started transfer negotiations with Galatasaray player Ozan Kabak.

- Trabzonspor has set transfer fee of its player Abdulkadir Omur as 30 million euro.

- Fenerbahce considering to sell its player Tolga Cigerci during mid-season transfer window.

- YeniMalatyaspor CEO Adil Gevrek has stated that team has recieved transfer offers for Khalib Boutaib from foreign clubs.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Besiktas player Oguzhan Ozyakup.

- Kayserispor CEO Erol Bedir: We had to go through transfer ban on mid-season transfer window, to have calmer summer transfer window. I still think we had a right decision despite of some injuries we could have.

What happened in Turkish football today? 28/12/2018

Erzurumspor has terminated contract with its player Lennard Thy.

Even through transfer window hasnt been started for Turkish clubs, their are coming out some news regarding of terminating contracts with players with one of the 1st to make such an announcement being Erzurumspor.

Erzurumspor has terminated contract with its player Lennard Thy despite of the factor that he did show some reasonably performance during recent weeks, including scoring an important goal against Fenerbahce. But as most of the clubs at the Super League during this mid-season transfer window, it is clear that clubs is going through some important changes and possibly their have some replacement in their mind which has led for Thy to be taken out of squad. Stating that, Thy did start as substitute in most of the games during this season which could be among main reasons for such decision by the club without doubt. Time would show if team would be looking and finding replacement in his place after this decision.

Erzurumspor would be having main aim to stay at the Super League and without doubt would be focussing to find ways how to make squad stronger and likely to aim to find quality player in place of Thy.

Alanyaspor has terminated contract with its players Bobo, Maniatis and Mbila.

Alanyaspor has terminated contract with its three players Bobo, Maniatis and Mbila due of being satisfied with how players has been performing so far at the season as Alanyaspor surely among clubs which are planning for their future in upcoming mid-season period.

It needs to be admitted that even through high level focus and expectation has been provided for those two players, Alanyaspor has decided to end contract with those three players as their are not able to provide high level performance and move team forward. This would also allow economically for team to be more freer to get transfers which their are aiming for mid-season transfer window as their are would be aiming to make their squad even stronger for sure without any doubt.  Time as always would show if those three players would be able to carry on their careers in Turkey as our blog would continue to follow their path.

Alanyaspor meanwhile without doubt would also look for aims to replace those players with quality players as it would aim to show even better performance during 2nd half of the season.

Trabzonspor has allowed its player Olcay Sahan and Zeki Yavru to negotiate with other clubs.

Trabzonspor has informed to their player Olcay Sahan and Zeki Yavru has informed to their players that their can start looking for new clubs with stating that their quality players but dont have any much plans for the future of the team.

It needs to be noted that such a decision would be good news for both sides as Trabzonspor didnt play for long time both players as their were coming as substitutes in recent period and has shown clearly that their dont have much plans with side. It needs to be stated that especially for Olcay Sahan has passed his highest peak as the player and hence it could be seen with good understanding why Trabzonspor would consider to let go of the players during this January mid-season window. With players also aiming to have maximum amount of playing time it would be expectable for them both to aim to make transfer deal right now with other clubs and negotiations with those players with other clubs would become one of the main talking points in mid-season transfer window.

Trabzonspor has decided right decision as keeping players at squad would make both sides be unhappy and would let for both to go forward much easier.

In other news:

- Erzurumspor would start mid-season training camp on 1st January in Antalya and will take place until 9th January.

- Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu: I am happy to be at Milan. My connection with Gattuso is very good. He does get angry sometimes but this is for getting maximum from players.

- Galatasaray player Eren Derdiyok has declined rumours that club didnt call him for mid-season training camp.

- Fenerbahce aims to keep its player Martin Skrtel at the squad.

- BayernMunich, Valencia and Borussia Dortmund are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Henri Onyekuru.

- Antalyaspor are interested to transfer Chievo Verona player Joel Obi.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Erzurumspor player Ibrahim Sehic

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Basaksehirspor player Irfan Can Kahveci

- Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz manager Ogan Tarhan has declined rumours that player had negotiations with Napoli.

- Monaco has offered 12 million euro to Besiktas player Domadoj Vida.

- Fenerbahce considering to reintroduce performances bonuses to provide motivation to their players during 2nd half games at Super League.

- Besiktas considering to sell its player Ricardo Quaresma during mid-season transfer window.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Wolfsburg player Jeffrey Bruma and Spartak Moscow player Luiz Adriano.

What happened in Turkish football today? 27/12/2018

Basaksehirspor has made transfer deal with Sivasspor player Robinho.

Basaksehirspor has made transfer deal with Sivasspor player with Robinho for 1.5 years hence becoming 1st club to make big transfer deal during this mid-season transfer window. Without doubt, Robinho would provide big help for Basaksehirspor for their aim for league title with his experience as the player.

It needs to be stated that Robinho has been one of the best players at the Sivasspor during last week good performances and it would been expected that Sivasspor would not be able to be willing to sell him for long time. However, with Basaksehirspor aiming for league title and in recent season signing stronger and experienced players it would be expectable for Basaksehirspor to show such an interest towards player. Even through mid-season transfer window didnt officially start, it has made a good deal with player and club for 2 million euro transfer fee and has solved this issue before hand and has made probably one of the main contracts of the mid-season transfer window and has certainly made important move and would help Basaksehirspor to reach its aim for league title.

This transfer without doubt would make an important deal for Basaksehirspor but Sivasspor also has lost an important player and would need to make an important transfer on their part.

Besiktas would extend contract with its head coach Senol Gunes

Besiktas administration has announced that it would be making negotiations with head coach Senol Gunes and extend his transfer after this deal hence making deal that club has all intentions to keep him as head coach.

Their were lots of talks at the sports media that club would not extend contract with its head coach Senol Gunes and hence with this statement has made it clear that it is fully happy with work provided by him. Their were many talks at the sports media that Besiktas has been unhappy with work of Senol Gunes which has been connected to the factor that team is getting poor result and their are strong misunderstandings between transfers between administration and coach. It needs to be noted that both administration and coach are happy with each other and hence this announcement has been mainly aimed to relax mood and reports which has been provided. This news would also make fans of the team to be relaxed and not worry too much about technical aspects of the team.

It would be announced in upcoming weeks what would be deal between both player and coach between sides and would help them to focus into transfers during this mid-season transfer window.

Galatasaray considers to end contract with Serdar Aziz after player has travelled to Maldives but didnt play against Sivasspor.

Galatasaray has considered to end contract with its player Serdar Aziz as it became clear that player has travelled to Maldives after not coming out to the Super League 17th week with complaing about pain at stomach.

Without doubt this action has made administration and head coach Fatih Terim very annoyed about this behaviour as it would be showing irresponsibility from his actions and hence would make very angry. It needs to be noted that it is unlikely that it would not allow player to provide defence about such an issue and hence would give time for Serdar Aziz to explain himself. Still, if player did fake his injury it would be disrespectul actions in his actions and if he has done such an action this would be unallowed and should be punished very harshly. This issue without doubt would be studied very actively by Galatasaray as this situation needs to be done as he could have felt better as Sivasspor game has been over.

Time would show about how both sides would make deal on upcoming days about such an issue but this blog believes that it would solved at the end of the talks between bodies.

In other news:


- Trabzonspor has made principal agreement with Gaziantepspor players Serhan Yilmaz and Hasan Genc.

- Kayserispor CEO Erol Bedir: We had meeting with Boydak Holding CEO Alpaslan Baki Ertekin, asking him to make half year sponsorship deal. He looks warm about it. We think we would make it in upcoming week.

- Everton head coach Marco Silva has stated that he would like for its player Cenk Tosun at the club.

- Galatasaray: Our work regarding of short and long-term deal with players is taking place for long time. We would make deals with players in upcoming days. We had started negotiations 4-5 months but after has decided to continue at mid-season transfer window.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Sancaktepe Belediyespor player Recep Burak Yilmaz.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Gent player Anderson Esiti.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Montevideo Wanderers players Bruno Mendez and Santiago Bellini.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Tianjin player Pato.
- Alanyaspor CEO Hasan Cavusoglu has stated that club interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Ozan Tufan.

- Galatasaray has made transfer deal with Bayern Munich player Franck Ribery for summer transfer window.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Akhmat Grozny player Wilker Angel.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Guangzhou Evergrande player Talisca.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Flamengo player Rhodolfo

- Fenerbahce has offered its player Islam Slimani in return of Basaksehirspor player Emmanuel Adebayor.

- Galatasaray player Emre Akbaba is expected to miss first few weeks of 2nd half of Super League for his recovery from injury to be completed fully.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Atalanta player Mario Pasalic.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Porto player Charles Mbemba and Villarreal player Ruben Semedo.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Toulouse player Stephane Mbia.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Krasnodar player Charles Kabore.

What happened in Turkish football today? 26/12/2018

Galatasaray considers to sell its player Muslera, according to media.

Even through mid-season break has only begun and their are still days until start of transfer window on 4th January, Turkish sports media, mainly to fill their pages, have started providing some of the transfer rumours.

Without one of the most surprising and unexpected news which has been circulated at Turkish sports media today, has been rumour that Galatasaray are considering to sell its player Fernando Muslera during this mid-season transfer window. With Fernando Muslera among one of the key players at the side without doubt, it would be interesting development to see if that is case. However, one of the arguments is being that he has high cost and due of FFP deal it would be an effective way to sell him so the cash would be coming in to make even more transfers. In fact, their is been rumour that Sao Paulo are interested to transfer him being which is  actually being first club to be associated after this talks of Muslera has been started at sports media. It needs to be stated that if this news is true than Galatasaray would lose one of its players which would be crucial to the team after mid-season break. This blog doesnt believe that news represents truth and it would become clear in upcoming days about validity of this news.

It would be big mistake if Muslera would be sold by Galatasaray as it doesnt have strong alternative at this position for now for sure.

Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz has made deal with Besiktas but club for now is preventing him to leave.

Meanwhile, transfer talks regarding of Trabzonspor player Burak Yilmaz, who is currently is taken out of squad, towards Besiktas does look to be among most talked aspect in upcoming transfer window, with latest stating that player has agreed for 2.5 million euro yearly salary.

Besiktas has started showing an interest at purchasing Burak Yilmaz during upcoming mid-season transfer window as soon as Trabzonspor has put him out of squad, and with old connection between sides and also Burak Yilmaz having good connection it is reported that deal has been made. However, an issue which stays is that Trabzonspor would be aiming to sell him for highest value which without doubt would make Besiktas to be unhappy and it is waiting for the contract to be terminated between sides. With Trabzonspor without doubt being aware of that aspect and also reason of this taking place, it would be interesting how it would be responding to this development. For now, Besiktas seems to be closest and with taking account that Trabzonspor doesnt consider to play him in upcoming future, it would be expected that some kind agreement between all parties would be made during January.

As always, our blog would be following this story as it would be pretty interesting what kind of deal would be made between parties for sure.

Herni Onyekuru asks for raise from Galatasaray.

One of the other interesting news which came out today has been that Galatasaray player Henri Onyekuru, loaned from Everton, is unhappy with 1.2 million euro salary he is recieving from club and considers to ask for raise.

With being one of the key players at the team, it would be reasonable for Onyekuru to ask for raise but again he doesnt been played great performance in all of the games and did show his performance at full potential few times, including last game with Sivasspor. In addition, and more crucial, Galatasaray as almost all clubs at Super League does have some economical issue and in simlar manner as it did with Bafetembi Gomis cant afford to ask for such a raise. This issue, with also taking account that Galatasaray sees Onyekuru as good future investment to the team, could provide some issues for the future of the club but again this is also rumour and if their is issue it could be solved without much problematic way very likely.

Its normal for some players to ask for raise, especially ones who dont believe that their performance is equivalent to cash their paid, but we need to remember situation at clubs financially.

In other news:

- Galatasaray CEO Mustafa Cengiz: We need to manage to our club with financial situations. We need to pay taxes. Tomorrow we would pay 27 million TL as tax. People keep asking for forward player. Those forward entering to my dream.

- Kayserispor CEO Erol Bedir has announced that club's debt is 140 million euro.

- Besiktas administrator Safak Yazicioglu has declined rumours that staff members are not being paid salaries but admitted that payments are delayed some weeks due to economical situation.

- Galatasaray player Garry Rodrigues has stated that his release clause is 15 million euro.

- Fenerbahce player Mauricio Isla has stated that he feels comfortable at his club for now.

- Fenerbahce and Besiktas are interested to transfer Yeni Malatyaspor player Sadik Ciftpinar.

- Besiktas has decided to provide an extension deal to its head coach Senol Gunes.

- Besiktas aims to sell its players Tolga Zengin, Gokhan Tore, Vagner Love, Cyle Larin and Tolgay Arslan during mid-season transfer window.

- Akhisarspor are interested to transfer Trabzonspor player Mustafa Akbas.

- Huesca are considering to sell its player Serdar Gurler during mid-season transfer window.

- Orduspor has loaned Erzurumspor player Osman Sahin until end of the season.

- Fenerbahce has offered its player Aatif Chacheuhue to Sivasspor in return of Emre Kilinc.

- Fenerbahce player Martin Skrtel considers to leave team during mid-season transfer window.

- Bursaspor player Bogdan Stancu wants to leave his team during mid-season transfer window.

- Trabzonspor player Hugo Rodallega wants to extend contract with his club.

- Fenerbahce has offered its player Nabil Dirar to Besiktas in return of Tolgay Arslan.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Sivasspor player Douglas.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Fenerbahce player Islam Slimani and Galatasaray player Martin Linnes.

- Monaco and Nice are interested to transfer Galatasaray player Younes Belhanda.

What happened in Turkish football today? 25/12/2018

Fenerbahce has played its last 1st half game in similar manner as it played whole season.

Fenerbahce has entered to the mid-season break with providing another very dissapointing performance which really describes their current season as it has drawn against Antalyaspor with goalless draw with lack of dangerous chances.

It needs to be noted that despite of all issues at the team and also Antalyaspor being at the top section of the table compare to Fenerbahce, it was coming to the game as Antalyaspor had its weakest squad due of injuries and punishments.However, Fenerbahce has been very far from performance which has been promised by its head coach Ersun Yanal without playing any attacking game and keeping tempo slowly. With both sides being happy with such tempo of the game, the game has been ended being pretty monotonic with lacks of any moments and organised performance. Even through statistically it could be seen that Fenerbahce had an upper hand, without doubt Antalyaspor was happy with this tempo of the game.  Fenerbahce as been stated many times would need to go through to some important changes and raise confidence of the players which seems to be case at game tomorrow and also other games this season.

Fenerbahce has entered to mid-season break at relegation zone which is 1st time in their history and would need to give all of the efforts to come out from that point, with also aiming to make squad stronger with transfers.

Basaksehirspor has got experience from last 2 seasons but still its hard to get title even with 6 point advantage.

With Super League 2018-19 season 1st half has been ended, Basaksehirspor has managed to become December champions of the season as their managed to do during last 2 seasons with having 6 point advantage with 4 teams coming behind them.

One of the main questions right now is would be Basaksehirspor able to get to the title this season with having 2 point advantage against Trabzonspor, Yeni Malatyaspor, Galatasaray and Kasimpasa. It needs to be stated that as Basaksehirspor has been in similar position last of the couple years and does get more experience to give rightful fight and reaction. But as been stated at previous blog entry, their is crucial fan factor which could play an important role especially towards last game of the season as their would provide an additional pushing force towards fan but with lack of recieving that it could have some factor for their title race. It would be also especially important for Edin Visca to play a leading role at the team which he seems to be taken in recent weeks as he has scored most amount of goals for the side so far.

As been stated, Basaksehirspor has get an important experience from last 2 seasons but it needs to be aware that 2nd half would be more difficult and their would need to give extra effort if their want to get title.

Kasimpasa are among main attacking teams thanks mainly to Mbiaye Diagne

Without doubt, Kasimpasa is having its best season in its history currently located amount 4 teams with 29 points and 6 points behind league leaders Basaksehirspor. Without doubt main role of such performance for Kasimpasa has been experienced head coach Mustafa Denizli and 20 goals from Mbiaye Diagne.

With this season not having as much goals and an attacking game comparing to last season, Kasimpasa has been among teams which provides an important focus to an attack, so much that it has also conceded high amount of goals in same time. Without doubt main reason for such high level performance at attack, has been from Mbiaye Diagne who has scored 20 goals out of all teams 26 goals. Mbiaye Diagne has also become highest goalscorer after 20 years in Super League. Stating that, its not only Diagne who is showing great performance but also Trezeguet who even through is not exactly at same level as he was last season, has played an important role to move team forward and helping Diagne. Still, Kasimpasa without doubt would have very tough 2nd half as games would become tougher at which side is not experienced, even through Mustafa Denizli would be able to push team forward with his experience.

Kasimpasa has been among main surprises of this season and its clear that it aims to carry on this great performance during 2nd half of the season.

In other news:

- PFDK referalls:
- Ankaragucu, Goztepe, Kasimpasa, Besiktas and Trabzonspor has been referred for behaviour of fans.
- Alanyaspor player Wellinton has been referred for breaking rules
- Erzurumspor player Egemen Korkmaz has been referred for not following guidelines 
- Kayserispor has been referred for 6-players recieving yellow cards 
- Bursaspor and Rizespor has been referred for behaviour of fans and events at field.
- Bursaspor trainer Selcuk Erdogan for anti-sportmanship actions
- Galatasaray has been referred for behaviour of fans and not following guidelines.

- Konyaspor would start its mid-season training camp on 3rd January in Antalya.

- Konyaspor players Ferhat, Selim, Hurtado and Musa are expected to recover from injury prior to mid-season training camp.

- Trabzonspor player Abdurkadir Omur has made deal with manager Necdet Ergezen for 2 years.

- Antalyaspor player Chico has broken nose during Super League 17th week game against Fenerbahce.

- Besiktas CEO Fikret Orman: We are focussed as side to reduce average age of the team. We want players who would give their heart to team. Our contract with Senol Gunes is continuing. We have full trust towards him. We would end contract 4-6 players during mid-season transfer.

- Bursaspor CEO Ali Ay: I have told to TFF CEO Yildirim Demiroren that we give focus to younger players and hence we need some assistance. TFF would have meeting about it in January. We have 413,000,000 TL debt until May.

- Besiktas are interested to loan Atletico Madrid player Nikola Kalinic

- YeniMalatyaspor head coach Erol Bulut has stated that club would make 4 transfers during mid-season transfer window.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Lazio player Luiz Felipe.

- Trabzonspor are currently looking for financial sponsor to pay salaries of Jose Sosa and Juraj Kucka.

- RBLeipzig has offered 20 million euro to Milan player Hakan Calhanoglu

- Besiktas administrator Umut Guner has declined rumours that club has made transfer deal with Feyenoord player Orkun Kokcu.

- Trabzonspor are interested to transfer Red Star Belgrade player Vujadin Savic.

- Galatasaray are interested to transfer Tottenham Hotspur player Fernando Llorente.

- Trabzonspor administrator Omer Sagiroglu: If we made agreement with Hugo Rodallega mutually than we can extend contract with him.

- Everton doesnt consider to loan its player Cenk Tosun during mid-season transfer window.

What happened in Turkish football today? 24/12/2018

Fenerbahce still provided poor performance with drawing this time against Antalyaspor. 

Fenerbahce has ended its 1st half of the season with a draw against Antalyaspor with providing very ineffective game and players failing to provide any attacking effective game with them being lucky for Antalyaspor not providing much attacking game themselves.

With Fenerbahce ending 1st half at the relegation zone and failing to provide any game which was provided by the vision of its head coach Ersun Yanal for brighter future and has been very far from performance which it has shown last week at the start of the Erzurumspor and to some extend during Giresunspor game. Coming out to an important game, with an opponent who has also their aims but on top half of the table, it didnt respond in any way and has been seen to be lacking self-belief which it needs to be sort out without doubt during mid-season transfer window. With Fenerbahce providing very poor performance, it is clear that club would have very difficult period during mid-season as it would be aiming to improve game wise and also provide motivation of the players. In addition, without doubt Fenerbahce would need to make crucial transfers to improve with its performance at the league and Europa League, but it wont be an easy period for Fenerbahce to make good transfers due of their conditions both in table and economy.

Antalyaspor also didnt provide very effective game which could be mainly connected to the factor that it was coming with high amount of absent players and hence couldnt provide good performance. Antalyaspor could have shown much more effective game if it had some players available. Still it showed good performance during 1st half of the season in overall.

Fenerbahce has ended 1st half of the season with poor performance and would now need to improve a lot for 2nd half of the season with some drastic factors if it wants to stay at the league and up at table.

Galatasaray has provided positive and promising football against Sivasspor.

Galatasaray has managed to end 1st half of the season at high note with beating Sivasspor with 4:2 scoreline with providing much more better attacking game compare to previous game. With such result, it currently finds itself 6 points behind league leaders Basaksehirspor and provides some positive view for 2nd half of the season.

As number of the players has ended their bans and have recovered from injuries, Galatasaray has been able to come out with almost its ideal squad to the game and with that has improved its performance at the game against Sivasspor. It needs to be admitted that number of the players has shown some positive performance especially Sophie Feghouli, Younes Belhanda, Eren Derdiyok and especially Henri Onyekuru showing one of the rare performance which could be one which were waited by Galatasaray supporters. Only issue which was observedd during game has been some poor performance of the defenders which has led Sivasspor to create some of the hcances and also finding 2 goals with high-class performance of the Robinho. Still, Galatasaray needs to do many things to get this season league title with foremost focussing into transferring quality defender and attacker to the team during mid-season transfer window as this squad sadly for them is not enough for domestic and Europa League.

Still, Galatasaray will be going to mid-season break with high motivation and confidence which could be good for them at restarting season at 2nd half of January.

Trabzonspor carries on showing great attacking game.

With beating Rizespor with confident scoreline of 4:1 at the last week of 1st half of the Super League.Trabzonspor has shown once again why their should be considered among main title contenders after mid-season break.

Coming to the game, it could be argued that Trabzonspor didnt show an incredible game as possession has been 50 to 50%, but teams attackers including memorable performance of Abdulkadir Omur, finding his 1st 2 goals of the season, does provide view that team is currently showing an attacking game always looking for chances. After losing to Yeni Malatyaspor some weeks ago, Trabzonspor has changed into 180 degrees with providing positive game always seeking to get chances and find goals and this motivation and confidence does keep team forward as arguably their showing one of the best performance in recent weeks. Without doubt, 1st game at 2nd half of the season against Basaksehirspor will not be among important games for both sides, but would be also crucial for whole season, and Trabzonspor would be aiming to have great mid-season break with coming out much stronger when season restarts.

Trabzonspor would be among team which would enter to 2019 at good mood but still would aim to improve for 2nd half without doubt and keep its confidence high.

Results:
Turkish Super League, 17th week:
Antalyaspor 0:0 Fenerbahce
Akhisarspor 0:0 Konyaspor

In other news:

- Rizespor has allowed its players Armand Traore and Jaroslav Jach to have negotiations with other clubs.

- Kayserispor players Silvio Lung and other 5 players has got flu following Super League 17th week game against Erzurumspor.

- Trabzonspor player Oganyi Onazi had an operation regarding his ongoing injury.

- Besiktas player Vagner Love manager Evandro Ferreira has stated that player didnt recieve any transfer offers.

- Kasimpasa aims to make 3-4 transfers during mid-season transfer window.

- Fenerbahce would focus to transfer defender, right back, position "10" and position "8" and an attacker during mid-season transfer window.

- Yeni Malatyaspor has made principal agreement with Legia Warsaw player Michal Pazdan

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Chelsea player Michy Batshuayi

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Dinamo Zagreb player Ajdin Hasic.

- Cardiff City are close to make transfer deal with Galatasaray player Ozan Kabak.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Genclerbirligi player Ahmet Oguz.

- Fenerbahce are interested to transfer Sivasspor player Emre Kilinc.

- Fenerbahce considers to offer Sener Ozbayrakli and Ozan Tufan to Besiktas in return of Tolgay Arslan.

- Number of Besiktas players has attended to team player Ryan Babel birthday party which lasted until early morning and included alcohol on 20th December.

- Besiktas are interested to transfer Liverpool player Daniel Sturridge.