Daily transfer radar – 29 January 2026
The winter window is reaching a decisive phase and Turkish clubs are accelerating their moves on several fronts. From high-profile negotiations with Premier League and Serie A names to internal decisions about not dismantling successful squads, the day has been packed with developments. Here is a detailed round-up of the latest confirmed talks and advanced rumours.
Beşiktaş closing in on Asllani loan deal
Beşiktaş are in advanced talks to bring Inter midfielder Kristjan Asllani on loan until the end of the season. Negotiations reportedly include a purchase option clause, but it will not be obligatory, leaving the Istanbul side with flexibility for the summer. The Albanian international has already given his approval in principle, which leaves agreement between the clubs as the final hurdle before the transfer can be completed.
Galatasaray revive Bissouma pursuit
Galatasaray’s search for a powerful central midfielder has led them back to Yves Bissouma. The Tottenham player, long admired by the Turkish champions, has once again become a serious target. During Galatasaray’s recent trip to England for the away match against Manchester City, club officials are said to have sat down for concrete talks over a possible move. The priority is to secure a deal that fits within the club’s financial structure, likely starting with a loan including a conditional purchase option.
Fenerbahçe line up Bonny as short-term striking solution
Fenerbahçe, still hunting for an additional centre-forward, have turned their attention to Inter’s young attacker Ange Yoan Bonny. The plan under discussion is a straightforward loan until the end of the season without any buy clause attached. At 22, Bonny is seen as a physically strong, mobile option who could add depth behind the established names in the squad, especially with fixture congestion and rotation in mind.
Nakamura becomes Trabzonspor’s prime left-wing candidate
Trabzonspor are determined to bring in a left winger capable of making an immediate difference in the title race. Keito Nakamura, currently shining in France, has emerged as their preferred option. His club Reims, involved in the push for promotion to Ligue 1, is demanding around 12 million euros as a transfer fee for the Japanese wide man. That price tag represents a significant investment for Trabzonspor, so the Black Sea club will need either favourable payment terms or potential future resale clauses to get a deal over the line.
En-Nesyri reluctant to leave Fenerbahçe
While Fenerbahçe contemplate reshaping their attack, Youssef En-Nesyri has made his stance very clear during recent talks: the Moroccan forward does not want to leave the club this winter. His proposed loan move to Juventus, which had been discussed intensively, has already collapsed. The player believes he can regain his best form in Istanbul and prefers to fight for his place rather than start from scratch in another league midway through the season.
Maguire link adds twist to Galatasaray’s defensive plans
Galatasaray are exploring an ambitious move for Harry Maguire, whose contract situation at Manchester United remains uncertain. According to reports in England, the defender’s representatives have already held a preliminary meeting with Galatasaray executives to gauge the feasibility of a transfer. The Istanbul giants are looking to add an experienced, aerially dominant centre-back to anchor their back line in both domestic competition and Europe, and Maguire fits that profile if financial terms can be reconciled.
Beşiktaş maintain contact over Tsimikas
Reinforcing the left-back position is a priority for Beşiktaş, who have initiated talks with Liverpool over Kostas Tsimikas, currently on loan at Roma. The Istanbul club see the Greek international as a more secure option compared with another target, Quilindschy Hartman, whose injury record has raised concerns internally. Discussions are focused on the structure of a potential loan and the sharing of the player’s salary, as Beşiktaş seek to balance squad improvement with financial prudence.
Trabzonspor shut the door on outgoing transfers
With the title race heating up, Trabzonspor’s management has decided against selling key players unless an exceptional, “astronomical” offer arrives. The club aims to preserve squad chemistry and depth rather than cash in during a crucial phase of the season. Approaches from various European teams for Batagov, Oulai, Olaigbe and Tim Jabol Folcarelli have been evaluated but ultimately dismissed as insufficient both financially and strategically. The clear message from Trabzon is that sporting success takes precedence over short-term profit.
Livakovic set for temporary return to Dinamo Zagreb
Goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic is close to heading back to his former club Dinamo Zagreb on a short-term deal. Fenerbahçe and Dinamo have reached an agreement for a loan move, with the Croatian side paying a fee of 200 thousand euros. The deal does not include a purchase option, meaning Fenerbahçe will reassess the situation at the end of the season. Livakovic is expected to travel to Zagreb shortly to complete his medical and finalize the formalities before rejoining his old team.
Beşiktaş push on with Soucek negotiations
Beşiktaş have reactivated their long-standing interest in Tomas Soucek after receiving the green light from the coaching staff. Talks with West Ham United are said to be at an advanced stage, with the two clubs close to a broad agreement on terms. The remaining focus is on persuading the 30-year-old midfielder himself, whose Premier League experience and work rate are highly valued. If completed, Soucek would add height, physical presence and leadership to the heart of the Beşiktaş midfield.
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How these moves shape the Turkish Super Lig landscape
These negotiations are not happening in isolation; they reflect a broader strategy shift among the top Turkish clubs.
Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe are clearly aiming to inject proven international quality into their squads to sustain both domestic title challenges and European ambitions. Names like Bissouma and Maguire show that Turkish sides are no longer limiting themselves to fringe options, but are actively pursuing players with substantial Premier League and top-five league experience.
Beşiktaş, on the other hand, seem to be betting heavily on rebuilding their spine with versatile, physically strong players. A midfield structure featuring Asllani’s passing, Soucek’s box-to-box energy and Tsimikas’ dynamism on the left flank would significantly raise their intensity and tactical flexibility. Such a core could allow them to switch between possession-heavy and transition-focused styles more comfortably.
Trabzonspor’s stance is equally telling. By rejecting bids for Batagov, Oulai, Olaigbe and Tim Jabol Folcarelli, the club is signalling that it does not want to repeat past patterns of selling key players mid-season. Combined with the push for Nakamura, Trabzonspor are clearly aiming to add quality without weakening the existing structure, a crucial factor in a long and physically demanding campaign.
Fenerbahçe’s situation up front is more complex. While they are open to adding Bonny, they must manage the realities of squad hierarchy, player morale and foreign-player quotas. En-Nesyri’s determination to stay could be beneficial if he rediscovers his scoring touch, but it also narrows the room for manoeuvre when it comes to minutes for new arrivals.
Livakovic’s prospective loan back to Dinamo Zagreb also has strategic implications. For Fenerbahçe, it temporarily reduces wage pressure and opens space for another foreign player slot if needed, while giving the goalkeeper a chance for regular minutes in a familiar environment ahead of potential international commitments.
What to expect before the window closes
With just days left in the window, several scenarios remain open:
– Loan-heavy solutions: Given financial fair play concerns and budget constraints, most of these deals are structured as loans with optional buy clauses rather than permanent transfers. Fans should expect late-night announcements and last-minute adjustments to terms rather than huge transfer fees.
– Conditional departures: While Trabzonspor have effectively closed the door, other clubs may still sanction late exits if incoming deals are secured. Surprise outgoing transfers can still reshape squads, especially for those balancing wage bills.
– Market reaction in mid-table clubs: Once moves like Asllani, Soucek or Nakamura are finalized (if they are), mid-table and relegation-battling teams might respond with opportunistic signings, taking advantage of players pushed down the pecking order at the big clubs.
– Injury-driven decisions: A single injury in training or in a league match can force clubs into emergency negotiations, particularly in defence and central midfield, where depth is already a concern for several teams.
Overall, the current transfer activity underlines how ambitious and aggressive the Turkish Super Lig giants have become in the international market. The success or failure of these targeted moves will likely play a decisive role in the title race, European qualification battles and the long-term financial health of the clubs involved.