Chelsea transfer news: Galatasaray wants €25m for Fernando Muslera
Galatasaray value star goalkeeper Fernando Muslera as being worth €25 million a source close to the club revealed to Turkish-Football.com in response to interest from Chelsea.
Chelsea made an enquiry in January for Muslera and were prepared to offer €15 million.
The Telegraph reported that the Blues were closely linked with a move for Muslera and had the keeper on a three-man shortlist over the winter transfer window as a potential replacement for Asmir Begovic.
Galatasaray turned down all approaches for Muslera in January however, the club will listen to offers that match their valuation.
The Lions will negotiate with Chelsea if their offer is matched otherwise they will continue to push for a contract extension.
The Uruguay international would have joined Chelsea as a back-up keeper if he had made the move. Although Muslera has stated in the past that he is open to the idea of playing in the Premier League he has been a first team keeper at Galatasaray and Uruguay for years.
The 30-year-old keeper has established himself as a cult figure at Galatasaray winning every domestic trophy and has also lifted the Copa America title with Uruguay.
Muslera’s contract runs until summer 2018 and Galatasaray want to lock Muslera down on a long term deal but have their hands tied as far as offering a pay rise is concerned.
The club must keep their wage bill within budget going into the new season to avoid another one-year UEFA competition suspension for failing to meet Financial Fair Play regulations.
The experienced keeper has started every Turkish league game this season, keeping six clean sheets and conceding 19 goals.
Galatasaray are currently third in the title race, five points behind league leaders Besiktas. The Lions take on Kayserispor next on Sunday 12 February.
