Tottenham ready to meet €50m price for Baris Alper Yilmaz as Everton intensify pursuit
Tottenham Hotspur and Everton are locked in a battle for Galatasaray winger Baris Alper Yilmaz, with both Premier League clubs exploring a deal for the Turkish international this summer. The 26-year-old has emerged as one of the most in-demand attackers in the Turkish Super Lig, and Galatasaray’s valuation reflects just how important he has become.
According to reports from Turkey, Galatasaray have set a firm asking price of €50 million for Yilmaz and have already turned down at least one proposal from Everton. Tottenham, however, are described as the club showing the strongest intent and are understood to be prepared to match the €50 million fee in order to push a transfer over the line during the current window.
A significant part of Galatasaray’s rigid stance comes down to sell-on clauses owed to Yilmaz’s former teams. Keçiörengücü are due 20% of any future transfer, while Ankara Demirspor are entitled to a further 5%. With a combined 25% of the fee set to leave Galatasaray’s coffers, the Istanbul giants are effectively forced to set the price high if they want to realize a substantial profit from a player they developed into a top-level winger.
Everton, for their part, are not walking away from the deal. Reports indicate the Merseyside club have stepped up their efforts by dispatching a representative to negotiate directly over terms for the Turkish attacker. That move underlines how seriously Everton view Yilmaz as a key target for their attacking rebuild.
Yilmaz’s rise at Galatasaray
Since arriving at Galatasaray from Ankara Keçiörengücü in July 2021, Baris Alper Yilmaz has undergone a steady, then rapid, transformation. Initially seen as a promising but raw wide player, he has grown into a consistent, high-impact performer for both club and country over the last five years.
The turning point came in the 2024/25 season, when his performances began to match his obvious physical and technical attributes. By the 2025/26 campaign, Yilmaz had elevated his game to a new level, delivering 12 goals and 16 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions. Those numbers place him among the most productive wide forwards in the Turkish league and inevitably drew attention from abroad.
His 2026 FIFA World Cup, however, did not fully reflect his club form. Turkey’s campaign was considered disappointing, and Yilmaz struggled to replicate his Galatasaray influence on the international stage. Even so, scouts and sporting directors tend to look at a broader body of work rather than a single tournament, and his overall trajectory remains strongly upward, which explains why top-flight English sides are circling.
Why Everton want Baris Alper Yilmaz
Everton’s interest is not new. The winger has been tracked for some time, and the current situation at Goodison Park makes a move for a player of his profile increasingly logical. Manager David Moyes is facing uncertainty over several key attacking options, and the squad badly needs dynamism on the flanks.
Iliman Ndiaye’s long-term future is under question amid links with a potential move to Al-Hilal, which could leave a major creative and athletic void in the forward line. At the same time, Jack Grealish has returned to Manchester City following the end of his loan spell, with Everton still working on the possibility of a new agreement. Until that is resolved, Everton cannot plan with certainty around their left-sided options.
Yilmaz, capable of operating on either wing and occasionally in more central attacking roles, offers the kind of flexibility that would appeal to Moyes. His work rate off the ball, willingness to track back and his aggressive running with the ball at his feet fit the profile of a winger who can thrive in a physically demanding league while also supporting the team defensively.
Financially, the €50 million price tag is a substantial outlay for Everton, particularly in a climate where spending must be balanced with financial regulations and previous investment. That may force the club to structure any bid carefully, with performance-related add-ons or staggered payments. Nevertheless, the act of sending a representative to negotiate signals that they are not put off by Galatasaray’s demands and believe Yilmaz could be a long-term cornerstone in attack.
Tottenham’s long-standing interest and tactical fit
Tottenham have been monitoring Baris Alper Yilmaz for several windows and now seem poised to accelerate their pursuit. The London club entered last summer needing to plan for life after Son Heung-min but ultimately failed to recruit a wide attacker of similar productivity and profile. That strategic gap remains, especially as Son continues to move deeper into his thirties.
Yilmaz’s age, at 26, makes him an attractive proposition for a squad in transition. He is young enough to develop further but experienced enough to deliver immediately in a highly competitive environment. His pace, direct dribbling style, and capacity to stretch defenses from wide areas correspond closely with the type of winger Tottenham have often thrived with.
From a tactical standpoint, he appears well-suited to a system that relies on high pressing and quick transitions. Yilmaz is known for his intensity without the ball, harrying defenders and forcing mistakes, and his acceleration over short distances makes him particularly dangerous when Spurs break from their defensive shape. With creative players already in place to supply him, his movement in behind and ability to cut inside onto dangerous shooting positions could give Tottenham a new dimension in the final third.
Another factor in Tottenham’s favor is their apparent readiness to match Galatasaray’s €50 million valuation. While Everton may seek a creative structure to make the deal happen, Tottenham are reported to be prepared to put the full amount on the table, potentially giving them a decisive edge if it comes down purely to financial strength.
What makes Yilmaz stand out as a winger
Beyond goals and assists, Yilmaz offers a skill set that aligns with modern expectations for wide forwards. He combines physical strength with impressive acceleration, enabling him to hold off defenders while also beating them in one-on-one situations. That rare blend of power and pace makes him effective both in open space and in crowded final-third scenarios.
Technically, he has improved his crossing accuracy and decision-making in the last two seasons. Where he once relied heavily on raw pace and direct dribbles, his game now shows more nuance: cut-backs to onrushing midfielders, disguised passes into the box, and strategic positioning at the far post to attack crosses from the opposite flank. That evolution helps explain the jump in his assist numbers for Galatasaray.
His defensive contribution is another asset. Yilmaz is comfortable dropping deep to support his full-back, doubling up on opposition wingers and helping his team maintain compactness when out of possession. In leagues like the Premier League, where wide players are expected to do significant defensive work, this quality is essential rather than optional.
Galatasaray’s perspective and the sell-on dilemma
From Galatasaray’s standpoint, losing Yilmaz would pose a significant sporting challenge. He has turned into a central pillar of their attacking structure, and replacing his output will not be straightforward. Yet the financial realities of sell-on clauses are forcing the club to think carefully about timing and price.
With 20% of any transfer fee earmarked for Keçiörengücü and 5% for Ankara Demirspor, a sizable chunk of the income never reaches Galatasaray’s own budget. If they were to accept a much lower offer, the net return could be disproportionately small, undermining their ability to reinvest in a suitable replacement.
This explains the firm stance on the €50 million valuation. At that level, even after paying the agreed percentages to Yilmaz’s former clubs, Galatasaray would still receive a substantial sum to strengthen several positions. Anything notably below that figure would be far more difficult to justify from a sporting and financial perspective.
How Yilmaz might adapt to the Premier League
A shift from the Turkish Super Lig to the Premier League is a significant step, regardless of a player’s talent. The game in England is played at a faster tempo, with greater physical intensity and more demanding tactical structures. For Yilmaz, adaptation would be a real test, but his profile suggests he has tools to succeed.
His physical robustness should help him cope with the challenges of strong full-backs and frequent body contact. Furthermore, his habit of working relentlessly without the ball is likely to endear him to any coach who emphasizes pressing and defensive discipline from the front line.
The main adjustment could come in decision-making speed. Premier League defences give attackers less time and space; learning when to release the ball, when to drive forward and when to recycle possession will be critical. That said, the progression he has already shown at Galatasaray indicates he is capable of refining his game under the right coaching staff.
Everton vs Tottenham: which move makes more sense?
From a footballing perspective, both clubs present compelling but different propositions for Yilmaz. At Everton, he would likely be a central figure in the attack almost immediately. The need for a driving force on the wing is acute, and he could be given a leading role, with the team built in part around his strengths.
At Tottenham, competition for starting spots is fiercer, but the platform for European football, larger global exposure, and a higher ceiling in terms of silverware may appeal to an ambitious player approaching his peak years. Working alongside established international stars could also accelerate his development.
The choice may come down not only to finances and club stature but also to how each manager plans to use him. A clear vision, guaranteed minutes in his best position, and the club’s long-term sporting project will all weigh heavily when Yilmaz decides where his next step should be.
Potential obstacles to a deal
Despite the strong interest, the transfer is not guaranteed. Galatasaray are under no pressure to sell below their asking price, and any late interest from other European clubs could complicate negotiations for both Premier League sides. Additionally, personal terms must be agreed, and wages will have to reflect both his current status and his potential upside.
Regulatory considerations, including financial rules and squad registration limits, might also influence the timing and structure of the move. Clubs may need to offload existing players to free up salary space and ensure compliance, which could delay final agreements even if all parties are broadly aligned.
Injuries or a sudden change in form are always risks in any long-running transfer chase. For that reason, clubs often try to move quickly once a price framework is established, particularly when a player is gathering interest from multiple leagues.
What happens next
As things stand, Tottenham appear closer to meeting Galatasaray’s financial demands, which puts them in a strong position. Everton’s increased efforts, including sending an agent to negotiate, show they are not out of the race, but time may not be on their side if Spurs formally submit a proposal of €50 million.
Ultimately, the decision will rest not only with Galatasaray’s hierarchy but also with Baris Alper Yilmaz himself. He must weigh the opportunity to test himself in the Premier League against his current status as a key figure at Galatasaray, along with the specific sporting projects on offer from both English clubs.
What is clear is that Yilmaz has reached a point in his career where a major move abroad feels imminent. Whether he lines up in blue at Goodison Park or in white at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the coming weeks are likely to define the next chapter of one of Turkey’s most exciting attacking talents.