Everton edge closer to Baris Alper Yilmaz deal as talks advance
Everton are pushing ahead with plans to reshape their attacking options and have stepped up negotiations to sign Turkish international Baris Alper Yilmaz from Galatasaray this summer. The 26-year-old winger has emerged as a primary target for the Merseyside club as they seek a dynamic, versatile forward capable of making an immediate impact in the Premier League.
Reports indicate that Everton have made tangible progress in discussions with Galatasaray and Yilmaz’s representatives. While a full agreement has not yet been finalised, the framework of a potential deal is becoming clearer, and there is growing optimism on Everton’s side that a transfer can be completed in the coming weeks.
Galatasaray, champions of the 2025/26 Turkish Super Lig, are understood to value Yilmaz at around £35 million. That figure reflects his importance to the Istanbul giants and the level of interest he has attracted across Europe. Crucially for Everton, this fee is not believed to be a stumbling block. The club are prepared to meet Galatasaray’s valuation if the final details of personal terms and payment structure fall into place.
How Baris Alper Yilmaz has developed at Galatasaray
Since arriving at Galatasaray from Ankara Keciorengucu in July 2021, Yilmaz has steadily evolved from a promising prospect into one of the most productive wide forwards in Turkish football. Initially viewed as a rotation option, he gradually forced his way into the starting XI, thanks to his work rate, tactical intelligence, and ability to play on either flank or through the middle if required.
The 2025/26 campaign marked a significant leap in his career. Yilmaz produced 12 goals and 16 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions, numbers that placed him among the most influential attacking players in the Turkish top flight. His contribution was not limited to goals and assists: his direct running, pressing, and off-the-ball movement became central to Galatasaray’s title-winning style.
Although his performances at the 2026 FIFA World Cup did not fully mirror his club form-Turkey’s campaign as a whole was underwhelming-scouts and analysts remained impressed by his underlying qualities. His pace, stamina, and willingness to track back, combined with improved decision-making in the final third, have made him a legitimate candidate for a move to a major European league.
Why Everton want Baris Alper Yilmaz
Yilmaz has been on Everton’s radar for a considerable period. The club’s recruitment team have followed his progress closely as they search for attackers who can both create and finish chances, while also fitting into a high-intensity, hard-working system.
The interest in the Turkish winger is rooted in several factors:
– Versatility: Yilmaz can operate on the right, left, or as a second striker. This flexibility is valuable for a manager who may need to adjust systems between a 4-3-3, 4-2-3-1, or 3-4-3.
– End product: Double figures for both goals and assists in a title-winning season suggest he can shoulder responsibility in the final third.
– Work ethic: He is known for relentless pressing and defensive contribution, attributes that tend to translate well into Premier League football.
– Age profile: At 26, he is entering his prime years, offering both immediate impact and several seasons of top-level performance.
The context of Everton’s attacking rebuild
Everton’s pursuit of Yilmaz is also shaped by uncertainty around other key players in forward positions. Iliman Ndiaye’s long-term future is far from secure. The Senegalese attacker has attracted interest from several major clubs, and a switch to the Saudi Pro League is viewed as a realistic possibility given links with Al-Hilal. Losing Ndiaye would leave Everton short of creativity and versatility in advanced areas.
In addition, Jack Grealish’s situation remains unresolved. His loan spell has ended, and although Everton are reportedly keen to extend his stay and are in discussions with Manchester City, no agreement has been announced. The club cannot afford to rely solely on the hope of securing Grealish again, particularly when pre-season planning requires clarity in attack.
Against this backdrop, Yilmaz represents not just an extra option, but potentially a central figure in a refreshed front line. Everton’s decision-makers appear determined to avoid being left short in wide areas and see the Turkish international as a proactive solution rather than a last-minute reaction.
Will the Premier League suit Baris Alper Yilmaz?
On paper, the Premier League looks like a natural next step for Yilmaz. The English top flight demands intensity, physical resilience, and tactical flexibility-all areas in which he has shown strength.
– Physicality: Yilmaz is robust enough to deal with aggressive defenders and does not shy away from duels. His athletic profile suggests he can cope with the tempo of English football.
– Transition play: Everton often rely on quick transitions, and Yilmaz thrives in open spaces, driving forward with the ball and exploiting gaps between full-backs and centre-backs.
– Pressing game: A willingness to press high and track back fits the expectations of a modern wide forward in the Premier League, especially in teams that cannot dominate possession every week.
However, adaptation is never guaranteed. He will face stronger, faster defenders and a more condensed fixture schedule. Success will depend on how quickly he can adjust to the tactical demands, physical intensity, and cultural changes that come with moving from Istanbul to Merseyside.
What Galatasaray stand to lose
For Galatasaray, letting Yilmaz go would mean parting with a player who has become integral to their attacking identity. His ability to stretch defences, switch flanks, and provide both goals and assists has been key to their recent domestic success.
Yet, £35 million is a substantial fee for a player they originally signed from the lower tiers of Turkish football. Financially, this represents a major profit and could fund multiple reinforcements across the squad. Galatasaray are used to rebuilding and may judge that now is the ideal time to cash in, particularly with the player entering the peak age bracket where resale value typically starts to decline in a few years.
How Yilmaz would fit tactically at Everton
If the transfer is completed, Yilmaz could slot into several roles within Everton’s setup:
– Left wing: Cutting inside onto his stronger foot to shoot or thread passes, allowing an overlapping full-back to provide width.
– Right wing: Staying wider, stretching the play, and delivering crosses for the central striker.
– Inside forward / second striker: Operating between the lines, linking midfield and attack, and exploiting pockets of space.
His presence would also create tactical options for Everton’s manager, such as switching wings mid-game to destabilise opposing full-backs or using Yilmaz in a more central role when chasing a result. This flexibility is one of the main reasons he is being prioritised.
Financial and FFP considerations
Committing around £35 million to a single transfer is a clear statement of intent from Everton, but it also reflects the need to invest wisely within financial regulations. The club cannot afford high-cost mistakes, so their willingness to sanction such a fee indicates strong confidence in Yilmaz’s ability to adapt and deliver.
Any sale of Ndiaye, or the decision not to bring Grealish back, could help balance the books and justify the outlay. Everton will likely structure payments carefully and could look to offset some of the cost through potential departures in other areas of the squad.
What remains to be agreed
Despite the reported “significant progress,” a number of details still need resolving before the move can be confirmed:
– Final agreement on the transfer fee and potential add-ons.
– Personal terms with Yilmaz, including salary, bonuses, and contract length.
– Timing of medical tests and formalities, given pre-season schedules.
– Any sell-on clauses or performance-related conditions desired by Galatasaray.
Both clubs appear open to reaching a compromise, and Everton’s stance that the fee is not an obstacle suggests that negotiations are entering a decisive phase.
What this move would mean for Everton’s ambitions
Securing Baris Alper Yilmaz would send a clear message about Everton’s ambitions in the coming seasons. Instead of filling gaps with short-term solutions, the club would be backing a player in his prime who can grow into a leading role. It would also bolster their attacking depth, reduce over-reliance on any single forward, and offer fans a fresh, exciting profile to watch.
If the deal is finalised, Everton would not only be gaining a productive winger but also a player hungry to prove himself on one of the biggest stages in world football. For Yilmaz, the move would be a chance to transition from domestic star to international name. For Everton, it could be a decisive step in building a more modern, flexible, and threatening attacking unit.
For now, all eyes remain on the negotiating table. Progress has been made, the fee appears manageable, and both Everton and Yilmaz seem ready for the next chapter-leaving only the final details between the Turkish international and a move to the Premier League.