Galatasaray's No. 10 Plan: Batrakov the Priority, Rodrigo Mora the Backup

Galatasaray have been working on two fronts in recent days as they look to add a No. 10 to their squad. According to Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, while the club's management awaits a response to their official €25 million offer for priority target Aleksey Batrakov to Lokomotiv Moscow, they have moved close to an agreement with Porto over a loan deal for Rodrigo Mora in case that pursuit fails. Sabuncuoglu stated: "If Lokomotiv Moscow does not accept the final offer for Batrakov, Mora's loan transfer will be completed."

According to the report, the structure being worked out with Porto does not include a purchase option; the loan fee for the 19-year-old Portuguese has been set at €10 million for one year, with the agreement including a clause requiring the player to feature in a certain number of matches. Rodrigo Mora's estimated permanent transfer value of €50-60 million is said to have pushed Galatasaray toward this alternative structure rather than an outright purchase. Batrakov, who delivered an outstanding campaign in the Russian league last season with 17 goals and 12 assists in 36 official matches, has an agent, Vladimir Kuzmichev, who has stated that "the Champions League would be great for Aleksey" — a comment seen as a sign the player himself is open to the move.

It's also noted that in the Batrakov pursuit, personally instructed by Galatasaray president Dursun Ozbek, the club is preparing a higher offer to convince Lokomotiv Moscow. This linked scenario between the two transfers illustrates the intensity of Galatasaray's midfield planning process, with a final decision expected to become clear in the coming days.

Source: Yagiz Sabuncuoglu
Image: Notbir