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News
- 9 minutes ago
Five European stars who could still move to Turkey or Saudi Arabia
Tom Weber
- Updated: 4 Sept 2025 22:33 BST
- 5 min read
Analysis
The 2025 summer transfer window was a massive one, particularly for the Premier League.
English top-flight clubs spent well in excess of €3 billion on new signings, which is more than the other four top-five leagues spent combined. However, clubs in Turkey and Saudi Arabia also flexed their financial muscle.
Galatasaray completed several blockbuster deals, most notably of course signing Victor Osimhen in a record-shattering €75 million deal. Istanbul rivals Fenerbahce, meanwhile, brought in Man City No.1 Ederson and Jhon Duran.
The latter arrived from Al-Nassr, where Cristiano Ronaldo has rung in the changes after his contract extension gave him far-reaching influence over the club's transfer business. Al-Hilal, Al-Qadsiah, Al-Ahli and NEOM have also splashed the cash.
The window remains open in Saudi Arabia (until 23 September) and Turkey (12 September), so here are five big-name European players who could still move...
Leandro Trossard (Arsenal)
Leandro Trossard looked set to stay at Arsenal after surprisingly being handed a pay increase by the club amid interest from several clubs in England and around Europe.
This pay rise, which did not involve a contract extension, came at a time when Arsenal had given up on signing a marquee left-winger. However, they ultimately did end up bringing in Eberechi Eze when Kai Havertz suffered an injury.
Trossard's future is therefore in doubt once again, and reports on 4 September claimed that Turkish giants Besiktas had made a €22 million bid to sign the 30-year-old.
David Datro Fofana (Chelsea)
David Datro Fofana is a forgotten man at Chelsea, having failed to break into the team since his arrival in 2022. After several loan stints, he was fully expected to be sold this summer.
Clubs in France refused to meet the player's and Chelsea's demands during the course of the window, and on Deadline Day, Celtic and Charlton battled for his signature, with Fofana rejecting the former. However, his move to the Addicks collapsed as they didn't finalise the deal in time.
The striker previously spent time at Goztepe in Turkey, so he may have to head back to the Super Lig or go on an adventure in Saudi Arabia to get out of his Chelsea hell.
Stefan Ortega (Man City)
Stefan Ortega has been a fairly reliable servant for Man City when called upon, but Pep Guardiola has decided to build a completely new goalkeeping department, leaving the German surplus to requirements.
Ortega was previously in the frame for a move to Burnley to replace James Trafford, who joined City, while he was also perennially linked with a return to the Bundesliga.
No transfer materialised, however, leaving him stranded at the Etihad as a third-choice option. Trabzonspor have started exploring a move for him, but it seems to be a difficult one to pull off.
Tyrell Malacia (Man Utd)
It has been a difficult two years for Tyrell Malacia, first having to deal with an injury for more than 12 months and then becoming a member of Man Utd's 'Bomb Squad.'
Suitors for the Dutchman have been few and far between. Roma had a tentative interest and only promoted LaLiga side Elche actually tried striking a deal for Malacia, but this transfer collapsed.
Man Utd still want to get the left-back off the books, and they are hoping that a club in Belgium, Turkey or Saudi Arabia becomes desperate enough to sign him.
We have picked Malacia over teammate Andre Onana because there are no credible suggestions that there will be any change to Man Utd's goalkeeping options. We also haven't included Porto wonderkid Rodrigo Mora, as Al-Ittihad are now signing Roger Fernandes from Braga instead.
Ismael Bennacer (AC Milan)
Algeria international Ismael Bennacer was once regarded as AC Milan's most reliable midfielder, but those days are in the past. The 27-year-old was shipped out on loan to Marseille in January, but the two clubs could not agree on a permanent deal this summer.
The window came and went, and no suitors for Bennacer were found in time, leaving him stranded at the San Siro with seemingly no future under Max Allegri.
As with the aforementioned Ortega, Trabzonspor have been trying to agree a deal with the midfielder, but Bennacer has rejected the Turkish side's advances.
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