Everton are reportedly ready to spend £35 million to secure Galatasaray winger Barış Alper Yılmaz, a move that could reshape a side that ended the 2025 season in 13th place with 49 points and a recent LLDDL run.
Why is Yılmaz on Everton’s radar?
David Moyes has identified width as a missing piece after spending over £60 million on Merlin Rohl, Tyrique George and Hayden Hackney. Yılmaz, 26, delivered 12 goals and 14 assists for Galatasaray last season, adding Champions League and Europa League experience. His versatility – capable of playing five or six positions – matches Moyes’ tactical blueprint, and the Turkish international also featured at the World Cup despite Turkey’s early exit.
How realistic is a £35m fee?
Football Insider suggests the Toffees can afford the price tag, but Galatasaray’s asking price of £35 million sits at the top end of Everton’s summer spending. Competing interest from Saudi clubs and other European sides could drive the fee higher, forcing Everton to weigh the cost against alternatives like Jack Grealish, whose wages would also be hefty.
What does this mean for Everton’s season outlook?
If the deal materialises, the winger could help close the gap to the top seven, a goal reflected in the club’s current standing – 13th with 49 points, 36 points behind leaders Arsenal. Adding Yılmaz’s 37 goals and 36 assists in 205 Galatasaray appearances could improve the Toffees’ -3 goal difference, which currently sits at 47 scored and 50 conceded.
What’s next for the transfer saga?
Moyes is expected to evaluate Yılmaz alongside other targets such as Christian Nørgaard from Arsenal and Celtic’s Alistair Johnston. The next fixture – an away clash with Sunderland on 20 February 2027 – will offer a chance to gauge the squad’s progress if the winger joins before the winter window. Everton’s willingness to splurge signals ambition, but the final decision will hinge on negotiations and the club’s broader financial strategy.
