The first half of the 2018/19 Turkish Super Lig season was full of surprises. The ‘Big 3’ – Galatasaray, Fenerbahce, Besiktas – all failed to finish inside the top four. As a result they are expected to make major revisions to their squad over the January transfer window.
Basaksehir are the surprise leaders followed by the unlikely trio of Trabzonspor, Malatyaspor and Kasimpasa. Istanbul juggernauts Fenerbahce meanwhile, find themselves just one spot above last place in 17th place.
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Galatasaray sit in 5th position but are still in touching distance of leaders Basaksehir. According to SkySports, Tottenham striker Fernando Llorente is set for a move to the Istanbul giants.
Fatih Terim will be keen to bring in a striker after losing his top goalscorer Bafetemi Gomis on deadline day over the summer.
The reigning Super Lig champions have just one first-choice striker available in Eren Derdiyok. Expect the Yellow-Reds to bring in at least one center-forward.
Besiktas meanwhile parted company with Pepe last month and are keen to lower the average age of their squad in January.
Manager Senol Gunes is also on the hunt for a new striker after the striker sold Alvaro Negredo over the summer and an additional defender.
Fenerbahce finds themselves in the relegation zone after 17 games. Newly elected President Ali Koc is expected to pull the chequebook this month in a bid to avoid a calamitous finale to his first season in charge.
The Yellow Canaries could do with strengthening in all areas but will have to make sure they do not fall foul of their Financial Fair Play obligations.
