Galatasaray reaches agreement on Batrakov transfer
Lokomotiv Moscow's young star Aleksei Batrakov has reached an agreement with Galatasaray and is preparing to wear the yellow-red jersey.
Galatasaray is preparing to fill the number 10 position, vacant since Dries Mertens' departure, with Aleksei Batrakov, who is regarded as the future of Russian football. Following lengthy negotiations, the yellow-red management reached an agreement with Lokomotiv Moscow, agreeing to pay a transfer fee of 25 million euros for the 21-year-old player. This amount is planned to be paid to the Russian club in four equal installments until December 2027.
According to the agreement, the contract also includes a clause granting Lokomotiv a 10 percent share if the player is sold in the future, as well as a mutual performance-based bonus clause worth 4 million euros. Batrakov is expected to earn 4 million euros annually from Galatasaray and sign a five-year contract. It is stated that the young star will sign after undergoing medical examinations.
Andrey Pankov, a reporter for the Russian newspaper Championat, reported that although the transfer was finalized yesterday, the player was included in Lokomotiv's squad for their cup match against Rostov, though his appearance on the pitch would be a surprise. According to Pankov, Batrakov will travel to Istanbul after this match, with the move likely to take place on Thursday. Meanwhile, British reporter Graeme Bailey of Teamtalk stated that clubs such as Manchester United, Manchester City, and Chelsea had also shown interest in Batrakov during the summer, but a transfer to these clubs was not possible due to the current sanctions imposed by the UK government.
Batrakov, who has played for Lokomotiv Moscow since 2023 and started in all 5 matches he played this season, contributed with 1 goal and 1 assist. The young player, who was not included in the squad for the Rostov match, bid farewell to the fans in the stands, saying that playing in the Champions League had always been his dream and that Galatasaray had offered him this opportunity. Batrakov also signed a Galatasaray jersey handed to him, adding an emotional touch to the farewell moment.
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