Arsenal
Aston Villa
Chelsea
Crystal Palace
Everton
Fulham
Leeds United
Liverpool
Manchester City
Manchester United
Newcastle United
Nottingham Forest
Southampton
Tottenham Hotspur
West Ham United
Wolverhampton Wanderers
News
Report: Galatasaray assessing summer swoop for West Ham defender Fabian Balbuena
According to , Galatasaray are assessing the costs needed to sign Fabian Balbuena once his West Ham United contract expires this summer.
The Super Lig giants are eager to strengthen Fatih Terim’s options at the Turk Telekom Stadium in order to mount a successful title challenge next season, as they need a miracle to avoid losing the crown to Istanbul rivals Besiktas this term.
Galatasaray have marked Balbuena as a potential target as the yellow-reds expect to part with Christian Luyindama at the end of the campaign in the event of a suitable offer, with the 27-year-old entering the final year of his current deal.
Terim’s side risk missing out on Champions League qualification, as well, having so far failed to climb above Fenerbahce approaching the final three games of the season, starting with hosting the league-leading Black Eagles on Saturday.
Galatasaray have already spoken with Balbuena’s representatives to sound out the Paraguayan’s interest in a move to Turkey, and are now assessing whether or not they can afford to sign the £40,000-per-week () centre-back.
Cim-Bom feel their hand is strengthened by Balbuena’s West Ham contract expiring in June and could look to conclude negotiations before the summer market opens, with a move for the 29-year-old already receiving the support of head coach Terim.
TBR’s view:
Balbuena’s time as a West Ham player certainly sets set to come to an end this summer, with talk of a move away from east London heightened by recent speculation that he is unlikely to be offered a new deal ().
Irons boss David Moyes has rarely been willing to rely on the international his predecessor Manuel Pellegrini called a ‘strong and talented defender’ () after spending £6.5m () to sign Balbuena from Corinthians in 2018, either.
After falling out of the Hammers backline in December, Balbuena has only featured for over the following 17 Premier League games, having come on to replace the Aaron Cresswell against Leicester and replace the Craig Dawson against Chelsea.
With his omission from the action so frequent, it is no wonder West Ham are prepared to let Balbuena leave, and a move to Galatasaray may be appealing with the chance to compete for league titles and European action next season.