Galatasaray and their arch-rivals Fenerbahçe have entered a fierce transfer battle for Sunderland's young star Chemsdine Talbi. According to information conveyed by journalist Ben Jacobs to Fotomac, both Süper Lig giants want to add the 21-year-old winger to their squads. This development shows that the two clubs, who are locked in a tight championship race this season and will represent Turkey in the Champions League, remain active in the market's final days. Galatasaray finished the first three weeks of the league as leaders with 7 points.
Which player are they competing for?
Chemsdine Talbi transferred from Club Brugge to Sunderland for 20 million Euros last season. The young player is known for playing on the right wing but can also operate on the left wing and in the number 10 role. Talbi, whose contract with Sunderland runs until 2030, currently has an estimated market value of 25 million Euros. This season in the Premier League, the player has only featured in one match for 31 minutes and has yet to contribute a goal or assist. Both Istanbul clubs plan to add a young and versatile player to their rosters to prepare for the intense match schedule lasting until mid-season. Galatasaray's current wingers can be seen on the squad page.
How was the clubs' summer transfer window?
Both clubs made significant investments during the summer transfer window. Galatasaray added Rafael Leao, Aleksey Batrakov, Deniz Gül, Lesley Ugochukwu, and El Chadaille Bitshiabu to their squad. The yellow-reds strengthened both their defense and attack with these transfers. Fenerbahçe, on the other hand, incorporated names like Mason Greenwood, Romelu Lukaku, Vedat Muriqi, Nathan Ake, and Kojo Peprah Oppong. These moves demonstrate both teams' ambition to be competitive not only in the domestic league but also on the European stage. Galatasaray will compete in the Champions League league phase against Barcelona, PSG, Aston Villa, Sporting, Feyenoord, Lille, Stuttgart, and AEK Athens. Fenerbahçe's group includes Atletico Madrid, Liverpool, Aston Villa, Roma, Shakhtar, Villarreal, Slavia Prague, and LASK Linz.
Why is the Talbi transfer significant?
Galatasaray, who have scored 9 goals and conceded 4 in the first three weeks of the season, wants to increase its offensive variety. The team's form in the last three matches is win, win, and draw. Acquiring a young and dynamic winger like Chemsdine Talbi will provide the manager with more options in attack. At the same time, this competition with Fenerbahçe could increase the player's value and the difficulty of transfer negotiations. Considering both clubs had a financially strong summer, a serious offer for Talbi is expected. The current standings of the Süper Lig can be followed on the standings page.
What is the situation in the Süper Lig?
Galatasaray has made a good start to the 2026-27 Süper Lig season, maintaining the lead with 7 points. The team's next league match will be played at home against seventh-placed Rizespor on December 6, 2026. Until that match, their fixtures in both the league and the Champions League will once again highlight the importance of squad depth. If a transfer for Chemsdine Talbi materializes, it will be interesting to see what role the player will assume in this busy schedule. The team's upcoming match schedule for the coming weeks can be viewed on the fixtures page. The information relayed by Ben Jacobs shows that the rivalry between Istanbul's two major clubs in the market continues in the final days of the transfer period.
