Defending champions Galatasaray were held to a 2-2 draw at home by newly promoted Çorum FK. Victor Osimhen gave the favourites the lead before former Hearts winger Alexandros Kyziridis and Jesús Ramírez turned the game around for the visitors. Osimhen eventually rescued a point with his second goal in the 90th minute. Saturday’s schedule includes Kasımpaşa against Trabzonspor and Gençlerbirliği against Fenerbahçe, while Beşiktaş host Eyüpspor on Sunday. Samsunspor against Göztepe rounds off the opening weekend on Monday.
Salah is the summer’s biggest signing
Perhaps the biggest name of the summer was surprisingly secured by Trabzonspor. Mohamed Salah joined the Black Sea club on a free transfer after nine years at Liverpool FC. The 34-year-old will reportedly earn €10 million per season and also received a €7 million signing-on fee. His arrival has generated enormous excitement in Trabzon, and Salah is already in the squad for the opening league match away at Kasımpaşa.
The Egyptian left Liverpool after an extraordinary spell and still managed 12 goals and ten assists in 41 competitive appearances during his final season. Trabzonspor had already strengthened their squad with players such as Aral Şimşir and Ruslan Malinovskyi.
And the club may not be finished yet. According to a recent report from beIN SPORTS, citing transfer journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Trabzonspor have reached an agreement with Al-Hilal over a one-year loan for Darwin Núñez. The Uruguayan is therefore believed to be close to completing the move. If the deal goes through, Trabzonspor could line up with a remarkable attacking trio of Salah, Núñez and Paul Onuachu.
Fenerbahçe bring in Lukaku
Fenerbahçe have also invested heavily in their attack. The Istanbul giants signed Romelu Lukaku from SSC Napoli and handed the 33-year-old Belgium record goalscorer a one-year contract with an option for a further season. Turkish media had previously reported a transfer fee of around €6 million plus bonuses.
Lukaku is only one of several high-profile additions. Fenerbahçe paid around €39 million to Olympique Marseille for Mason Greenwood, while Nathan Aké arrived from Manchester City and Vedat Muriqi returned after an impressive season with Mallorca.
Together with established stars such as N’Golo Kanté, Anderson Talisca, Marco Asensio and Milan Škriniar, Fenerbahçe now have a squad packed with internationally renowned names.
Beşiktaş unveil Vlahović
Another major name has landed at Beşiktaş. Dušan Vlahović signed a three-year contract with the Black and Whites after leaving Juventus at the end of his deal. The 26-year-old Serbia international was available on a free transfer and has already completed his first training session with his new team.
Beşiktaş had previously signed Leandro Trossard from Arsenal FC. The versatile Belgian attacker cost €18 million and has agreed an initial three-year contract with an option for a further season. With Trossard and Vlahović, Beşiktaş hope to significantly improve their attacking quality and close the gap on Galatasaray and Fenerbahçe after several disappointing campaigns.
Galatasaray begin with a setback
The defending champions, by contrast, have so far taken a somewhat more restrained approach in the transfer market. Lesley Ugochukwu arrived on loan from Burnley as an intriguing midfield addition, with a purchase option that can become mandatory under certain conditions.
The 2-2 draw against Çorum immediately showed that even the serial champions are not yet at full speed. Galatasaray needed a late equaliser against the promoted side and therefore find themselves under slightly more pressure after only one match.
Their rivals, meanwhile, have strengthened in spectacular fashion. Salah, Lukaku, Vlahović, Trossard, Greenwood and Aké are just some of the league’s eye-catching new arrivals. And if Darwin Núñez now completes his move to Trabzon, the Süper Lig will have added yet another major international star.
