Galatasaray deputy chairman Erden Timur has said the Turkish giants have shown that they are a major power to be reckoned with after the acquisitions of Davinson Sanchez and Tanguy Ndombele from Tottenham Hotspur.
Tottenham were not able to offload Sanchez and Ndombele before the European transfer deadline on September 2 but with Turkish clubs being allowed to sign players for two more weeks, both players ended up completing switches to Galatasaray.
While Sanchez joined the Istanbul side in a deal worth €9.5m (£8.1m), the Frenchman signed for the club on a season-long loan with the option to make it permanent for €15m (£12.8m).
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 20: Davinson Sanchez of Tottenham Hotspur in the tunnel prior to the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Brentford FC at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on May 20, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images)
A little over a week ago, we relayed a report from the Milliyet which claimed that Spurs wanted as much as €22m (£18.8m) for the centre-back when Galatasaray first expressed their interest in the player before bringing their asking price down after the European transfer window closed.
Timur has now talked up the accomplishment of signing the duo from the North London club, insisting that their pair’s arrival significantly improves the reigning Super Lig champions.
Galatasaray are very pleased with their Spurs duo
The Galatasaray deputy chairman told Hurriyet: “The expectation and level rose so much that Ndombele, who played 40 matches last season when Napoli won the championship, most of them coming on as a substitute, arrived.
“The most expensive transfer in Tottenham history. For the first time in Turkish football history, such a squad was established. We have 13 players equal to Drogba, Sneijder and Melo.
“Ndombele was transferred to Tottenham for €62m. The highest-priced transfer in Tottenham’s history. Davinson Sanchez was transferred for €42m.”
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There is no doubt that Galatasaray have done some excellent business this summer and with the likes of Sanchez and Ndombele in their ranks, they stand a fighting chance of getting out of their Champions League group, particularly given how poor Man Utd have looked this season.
Tottenham will be desperately hoping that Ndombele can do well over the course of the season and can convince the Turkish club to activate the option to buy him permanently.
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