Galatasaray trying to sign Phil Foden

The most resounding move of the summer transfer window has arrived from Galatasaray. According to the report, the Yellow-Reds have added Manchester City's 26-year-old English star Phil Foden to their transfer list. The board, searching for a world-class number 10 for the Champions League, is said to be ready to push all financial boundaries for this "dream transfer".

The architecture of the operation has also become clear. President Dursun Özbek is reported to have handed full authority to agent George Gardi, who has played a role in the club's major transfers of recent years, with Gardi also the man who first brought Foden's name to the board's table. The Italian agent's first task is to learn how the English star views Galatasaray and playing in Türkiye; a first contact with the player's representatives is said to be planned.

The factors strengthening the ground for a transfer are striking. Entering the final year of his contract, Foden could not get the minutes he expected last season, settling for 10 goals and 7 assists in 50 matches; he is claimed to be open to a new chapter in his career. Europe's leading clubs are also said to be in the picture for the star, whose market value is listed at €70 million. There is another side to the coin, too: the English press wrote in May that the player had reached an agreement in principle with City on an extension until 2030 — the formalities were not completed, but that detail turns the transfer into a highly costly and demanding process. There is also no official confirmation from any party yet.

Even the concrete effect of the move has been seen: the Julio Enciso transfer, which had reached its final stages, is reported to have been put on hold until Foden's answer arrives; in case of a negative response, the course would turn to alternatives such as Bruno Fernandes, Can Uzun and Enciso. Suffering a genuine number 10 void since Dries Mertens and chasing a fifth consecutive title, Cimbom aim to have the star name ready for the training camp in Austria.

Source: Fanatik
Image: Yahoo Sports