September 21, 2026 Transfer Agenda: Radars Switch On for January
Turkey's 2026-2027 summer transfer window shut on September 4, and the winter window opens on January 1, 2027. None of the latest stories describes a completed signing. Everything below is rumour and planning for January, and no official announcement has been made on any of these deals.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu: Fenerbahçe's January Target
The most talked-about name of recent days is Hakan Çalhanoğlu. According to reports, Fenerbahçe are closely monitoring the Inter midfielder and plan to open talks with Inter in January. The 32-year-old's contract runs until June 30, 2027, which is seen as giving Fenerbahçe negotiating leverage.
Some reports claim Çalhanoğlu is warm to a return to Turkey and that Fenerbahçe is his priority. However, neither the player nor his representatives have confirmed this. Neither club has announced that talks have started, so it remains a media claim for now.
Yasin Ayari: A €40 Million Valuation
Another midfield name on Fenerbahçe's list is Brighton's 22-year-old Swedish midfielder Yasin Ayari. Reports say the club wants to bring him in at the mid-season break and may start talks before January. Ayari can play as an 8 or a 10, and his market value is put at around €40 million.
His Brighton contract expires at the end of the season, which has led to speculation that Brighton could be open to a January offer. That is also only a claim at this stage. Coverage also notes that he plays alongside former Fenerbahçe player Ferdi Kadıoğlu.
Igor Paixão: A Second Winger from Marseille?
Marseille's Brazilian winger Igor Paixão has reportedly entered Fenerbahçe's January list. The Istanbul club signed Mason Greenwood from Marseille at the start of this season, and the new claim is that they are moving for a second attacker from the same club. Paixão is said to have 12 goals and 8 assists in 46 Marseille appearances.
According to the reports, Marseille's financial situation makes an exit more likely, with the French club allegedly needing to raise a large sum through player sales by 2027. It is also recalled that Paixão was tracked in the Jorge Jesus era without a deal materialising. Club president Aziz Yıldırım's remarks about making the necessary reinforcements in January form the backdrop to these claims.
Can Uzun: Galatasaray to Try Again in January
Galatasaray finished the first five weeks of the Süper Lig as leaders and have begun planning for the mid-season window. One of their reported January targets is Eintracht Frankfurt's 20-year-old Turkish international Can Uzun. He was also a name in the summer, but that move did not happen. The claim is that a fresh offer will be made in January.
According to the reports, Okan Buruk likes the player's style and considers it suited to Galatasaray's attacking approach, and management brought the file back to the table on the strength of his report. His form in Frankfurt is cited as another factor. No agreement between the clubs has been announced.
Gabriel Bontempo: Beşiktaş Eye a Young Brazilian Midfielder
On Beşiktaş's side, the reported top January target is Santos' 21-year-old midfielder Gabriel Bontempo, whose call-up to the Brazil national team has raised interest. Beşiktaş management is said to have contacted Santos. Santos reportedly want €12 million and, believing his value has risen after the national-team call-up, are not inclined to lower it.
Bontempo's contract runs until December 2030, and Bayern Munich are also said to be interested, suggesting stiff competition. Beşiktaş are also reported to be monitoring alternatives such as Nicolas Raskin and Ibrahima Sangare for midfield rotation, though no formal step has been taken on those names either.
The Bigger Picture
After the window closed, the agenda has shifted from new signings to January plans. Players with expiring contracts (Çalhanoğlu, Ayari) and clubs under financial pressure (Marseille) may shape how the negotiations unfold. For now everything is at the rumour stage, and real talks should become clearer ahead of January.
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