Today’s Transfer Round-Up – 2 February 2026
The winter window continues to reshape Turkish football, with major clubs working on bold deals both in and out. From high-profile swap negotiations to rising talents eyeing Istanbul, here is an in-depth look at today’s standout transfer stories.
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Fenerbahçe negotiate En-Nesyri – Kanté swap with Al-Ittihad
Fenerbahçe are locked in advanced talks with Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad over a complex deal involving Youssef En-Nesyri and N’Golo Kanté plus a cash payment.
The Saudi club have made the Moroccan striker their priority as they look to refresh their attacking line. En-Nesyri, who has been a key figure for Fenerbahçe with his aerial presence and work rate, is being valued highly in the negotiations. In return, Al-Ittihad are prepared to send French midfielder N’Golo Kanté to Istanbul, with an additional fee expected to balance the move.
Crucially, the transfer appears to be linked to the future of Karim Benzema. Should the experienced forward formally part ways with Al-Ittihad, the path for En-Nesyri’s move is expected to open. Until Benzema’s departure is fully finalized, the swap remains in a holding pattern, though both clubs are described as optimistic.
From a sporting perspective, such a deal would significantly alter Fenerbahçe’s structure. Losing a central striker of En-Nesyri’s profile would force the club to rethink their attacking setup, yet the arrival of Kanté could give them a top-level ball-winner and transition specialist in midfield – a type of player they have long been seeking. Financially, a cash component combined with Kanté’s experience could be seen as strong value for the Turkish side, provided they can adequately replace En-Nesyri’s goals.
For Al-Ittihad, bringing in a striker in his prime who is proven in European competitions would help them rebuild after a turbulent period. En-Nesyri’s ability to press from the front and attack crosses could be central to a new tactical plan in the Saudi league.
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Galatasaray add Evan Ferguson to their shortlist
Galatasaray are preparing an ambitious move for Irish striker Evan Ferguson, whose economic rights are held by Premier League club Brighton. The young forward is currently on loan at Roma in Serie A, where he has been gaining valuable top-level experience.
Reports indicate that the Galatasaray board are getting ready to initiate direct contact with both Brighton and the player’s camp. The Istanbul giants view Ferguson as a long-term investment: a physically strong, technically gifted centre-forward capable of leading the line for years.
Ferguson’s profile fits Galatasaray’s recent strategy of combining experienced stars with promising young talents who have resale potential. However, any negotiation is likely to be complex. Brighton are known for driving a hard bargain for their assets, and Roma’s current loan agreement may contain clauses that need to be carefully resolved before a permanent or new loan deal can be struck.
If Galatasaray can pull this off, the signing would not only strengthen their attack but also send a strong message across Europe that the club remains an attractive destination for rising Premier League talents. For the player, moving to a team that regularly fights for titles and European football could offer more minutes and a key role in a passionate football environment.
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Beşiktaş move for Hyeon-gyu Oh
Beşiktaş have turned their attention to South Korean striker Hyeon-gyu Oh, currently on the books of Belgian side Genk. The Black-and-Whites have already opened talks with the Belgian club as they look to reinforce their attacking options.
The 24-year-old centre-forward has caught the eye with his mobility, pressing intensity and finishing ability. Beşiktaş’s management are reportedly prepared to stretch their budget for this transfer, having received the green light from head coach Sergen Yalçın, who sees Oh as a forward capable of fitting seamlessly into his preferred system.
Acquiring a player from the growing pool of East Asian talents would also make commercial sense. Club strategists are aware that a successful Korean signing can expand the club’s reach and visibility in Asian markets, opening doors for new sponsorship and fan engagement opportunities.
From a sporting angle, Oh could offer Beşiktaş greater flexibility up front. His ability to play both as a traditional number 9 and in more dynamic attacking roles could allow Yalçın to experiment with different formations, particularly in matches where the team needs more movement and depth behind the opposition’s defence.
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Jhon Duran set for Zenit as Fenerbahçe part ways
Fenerbahçe have decided to part company with Colombian forward Jhon Duran. The attacker has reached a broad agreement with Russian side Zenit, bringing his spell in Istanbul to an early end.
The financial structure of the move is unusual: Duran’s salary will be split between Zenit and Saudi club Al-Nassr. This arrangement suggests previous contractual commitments and creative financial engineering to make the deal work for all involved parties.
Sportingly, the departure frees up a foreign player slot and wage space for Fenerbahçe, potentially smoothing the way for other reinforcements – such as the possible arrival of Kanté in the En-Nesyri deal. It also indicates that the club were not fully satisfied with Duran’s integration or impact and preferred to move on quickly rather than wait for long-term adaptation.
For Duran, Zenit represents a fresh start in a competitive league where he will be expected to shoulder a significant attacking responsibility. Regular minutes in Russia could help him rebuild confidence and improve his standing in the Colombian national team setup.
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Trabzonspor target familiar name Joseph Paintsil
Trabzonspor are working on a move for Ghanaian winger Joseph Paintsil, currently playing for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. The 28-year-old is no stranger to Turkish football followers, and his name has surfaced before in connection with Super Lig clubs.
The Black Sea club are keen to make a “direct hit” in this position and view Paintsil as a solution to their long-standing issues on the flanks. With his speed, dribbling ability and tendency to cut inside to shoot, he fits the profile of a wide player who can both create and finish chances.
Trabzonspor’s recruitment team are believed to be studying the financial feasibility of the deal. MLS clubs often drive hard negotiations for important foreign players, and the timing of the American season can sometimes complicate transfer windows. Nevertheless, Trabzonspor see Paintsil’s age and experience as ideal for immediate impact.
Tactically, his arrival could allow the coach to switch more comfortably between formations with traditional wingers and narrower attacking lines, knowing they have a wide player capable of stretching defences and exploiting space behind full-backs.
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Beşiktaş eye Arouna Sangante for defensive rebuild
Following the departure of Gabriel Paulista, Beşiktaş have made centre-back reinforcement an urgent priority. At the top of their list stands Arouna Sangante, the captain of French side Le Havre.
The 23-year-old defender, known for his composure on the ball and reading of the game, is nearing the end of his contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season. This puts Beşiktaş in a relatively strong negotiating position, as Le Havre risk losing their key asset for free in a few months.
Initial contacts have already been made with the French club. Beşiktaş hope to use the remaining months of Sangante’s contract to secure a lower fee, arguing that it is in Le Havre’s interest to monetize the player now rather than lose him for nothing in the summer.
From a sporting point of view, Sangante appears to tick several boxes: age, leadership, and the ability to play in a high defensive line thanks to his anticipation and positional awareness. His arrival could form the basis of a new-look backline around which Beşiktaş can build for the medium term, reducing the need for constant short-term stopgaps in defence.
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Jens Hjerto-Dahl pushes for Beşiktaş move
In midfield, Beşiktaş are also pursuing Norwegian talent Jens Hjerto-Dahl from Tromso. The 20-year-old has made his desire to join the Istanbul club crystal clear, reportedly informing his current team that he is not considering alternative offers.
Hjerto-Dahl has even indicated that he would be willing to accept a pay cut to facilitate the move, underlining how strongly he feels about the opportunity to play for Beşiktaş. Despite the player’s stance, Tromso are standing firm on their valuation and are demanding a transfer fee of 9 million euros.
For Beşiktaş, the negotiation is a balancing act. On one hand, they see Hjerto-Dahl as a long-term project: a modern midfielder capable of progressing the ball, pressing aggressively and contributing to build-up play. On the other hand, the price tag is significant for a player with limited experience in Europe’s top leagues.
If a compromise can be reached, Beşiktaş would gain a versatile midfielder who can operate as a deep-lying playmaker or a more box-to-box option, giving the coaching staff tactical flexibility for both domestic and European campaigns.
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Tactical and strategic trends behind today’s moves
A common thread in today’s transfer stories is the blend of short-term necessity and long-term planning. Fenerbahçe’s pursuit of Kanté, for example, reflects a desire for instant midfield authority, while the potential exit of En-Nesyri would force them to rethink the offensive core of the squad. Simultaneously, the departure of Duran suggests a willingness to correct recent transfer missteps swiftly.
Galatasaray’s interest in Evan Ferguson highlights a different strategy: investing in youthful potential that can appreciate in value. The club are clearly targeting players who can deliver now but also be sold on later for a profit, a model increasingly common among ambitious teams outside Europe’s very richest leagues.
Beşiktaş’s activities reveal a wide-ranging rebuild. By targeting a striker (Oh), a centre-back (Sangante) and a midfielder (Hjerto-Dahl), they are attempting to reshape the spine of the team. Combining young prospects with players already captaining their sides abroad is a sign that they want both future value and immediate leadership in the dressing room.
Trabzonspor, meanwhile, are focusing on precise, role-specific additions. Paintsil’s profile suggests they prefer targeted, high-impact signings in positions of clear need rather than broad overhauls.
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Financial realities shaping Turkish clubs’ decisions
Behind the sporting narratives lies the hard reality of finances. Turkish clubs are operating under significant economic pressure, with currency fluctuations and past debts forcing them to be more creative in the market.
Swaps like the proposed En-Nesyri–Kanté deal, shared-salary arrangements such as Duran’s move to Zenit, and the aggressive stance of clubs like Tromso in demanding high fees all illustrate a transfer ecosystem where every euro is carefully weighed.
Clubs must balance the urge to satisfy demanding fan bases with the necessity of staying within financial constraints and regulatory frameworks. This is particularly noticeable in negotiations over players like Hjerto-Dahl and Sangante, where contract lengths and resale potential become decisive factors in whether a deal is viable.
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What to watch in the coming days
As the window continues, several key questions remain open:
– Will Benzema’s situation at Al-Ittihad unlock the En-Nesyri–Kanté swap and reshape Fenerbahçe’s squad?
– Can Galatasaray convince Brighton and Roma to clear a path for Evan Ferguson?
– Will Beşiktaş manage to close multiple deals across different positions without overstretching their budget?
– Can Trabzonspor finalize a financial package that satisfies LA Galaxy for Paintsil?
With negotiations accelerating and deadlines approaching, today’s rumours and talks may quickly turn into finalized transfers – or collapse at the last minute. For now, Turkish football’s giants remain at the centre of an intense, globally connected transfer market, where every move carries both sporting and financial consequences.