The Lions are still searching for an experienced striker after having failed to secure the transfer of Alan Carvalho.
Galatasaray officials have returned empty handed from Dubai where they were scheduled to finalize the transfer of Brazilian forward Alan Carvalho from Chinese giants Guangzhou Evergrande.
The Turkish club’s vice president Abdurrahim Albayrak traveled to Dubai earlier this week to meet with the Chinese club’s representatives in an undisclosed hotel to hash out the final details of the transfer.
However, Albayrak returned to Istanbul yesterday with some disappointing news. After being pressed by reporters at the airport for information regarding the latest surrounding the transfer, he said he “thanks the Chinese club for their hospitality.”
Albayrak speaking to reporters at the airport.
While Galatasaray had agreed terms with Carvalho over a month ago, the Chinese club have seemingly made a last minute decision to sabotage the deal despite being open to the transfer last month.
The Chinese Super League club had agreed to let the Brazilian go on a free transfer but have decided to ask for a €3 million transfer fee at the last minute. Alan’s contract was due to expire in December, however, Guangzhou have opted to extend his deal for another year, thus forcing Galatasaray to pay the club for the player’s release.
Carvalho had agreed to a €3 milliion-a-year deal but due to the two club’s disagreement earlier this week, the transfer has now been put on hold.
“We agreed with Alan and his club a while ago. There was nothing left to be negotiated between us. Everything was going well. We’ll see if his club will make any statements. We’ll wait and see.”
Albayrak said they also inquired about another Brazilian forward, Alexander Pato.
“Pato told us he needs time to work out the details with his club. Things are going well. We are in talks with 10 players. Galatasaray will sign players. Hopefully we will sign a few of them in the coming days and bring them to Galatasaray,” he said.
Galatasaray later released a statement on their official website assuring fans that they working on signing a forward before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.
