Galatasaray join the race for Chelsea, Liverpool & Arsenal target Bakkali

Galatasaray are interested in signing the Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal and Man Utd target Zakaria Bakkali [divider]

Galatasaray are looking to streamline their squad in January by both reducing the number of players and the average age of the group.

PSV forward Zakaria Bakkali was recommended to the board by Cesare Prandelli and Galatasaray have sent scouts to monitor the 18-year-old.

The highly-rated youngster has refused to sign a contract extension with the Dutch side and has been frozen out of the PSV side by manager Phillip Cocu.

PSV sporting director Marcel Brands spoke out about Bakkali’s contract situation, “Of course it’s bad for the club, I think it’s actually worse for the player himself.

“It is a shame that a young player with talent does not choose the right path.

“People might think I am naive but I don’t blame the guy or his father. The problem is that Zakaria is getting influenced by everything and everyone around him.”

Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United, Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan have all been linked with the PSV player.

Bakkali scored three goals in 16 appearances for PSV last season.

The 18-year-old has made one assists and scored one goal in five appearances this season.