“Transfer Frenzy: Villa and Newcastle Eye Turkish Sensation Baris Yilmaz as Summer Window Heats Up”
Reports suggest that both Manchester United and Aston Villa had scouts present on Friday night to watch Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz.
Aston Villa has been the top spender in Europe during this summer’s transfer window, investing nearly £150 million on eight new signings.
Newcastle has also been active in the market, spending around £60 million on players like Lewis Hall, Odysseas Vlachodimos, and William Osula, in addition to bringing in Lloyd Kelly and John Ruddy on free transfers.
Both clubs are expected to make further signings before the transfer window closes, with Newcastle’s primary target reportedly being Crystal Palace center-back Marc Guehi. Aston Villa, under Unai Emery, has been linked with Atletico Madrid forward Joao Felix and Chelsea’s Trevoh Chalobah, who has been restricted from using Chelsea’s first-team facilities at their Cobham training ground.
Yilmaz, who played the full match as a left winger in Galatasaray’s Super Lig opening day win over Hatayspor, has made 110 appearances for the club, scoring 11 goals and providing 14 assists. The 24-year-old also played every minute for Turkey at Euro 2024, helping them reach the quarter-finals before losing to the Netherlands.
Although Yilmaz didn’t score or assist in the tournament, his performances in a central role have attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Arsenal. However, it was Newcastle and Aston Villa that sent scouts to watch him on Friday night.