Everton have taken a positive step towards signing Baris Alper Yilmaz, with the Galatasaray winger now reportedly agreeing personal terms with those on Merseyside.
The Toffees’ pursuit of the Turkey international comes amid growing uncertainty surrounding the future of Iliman Ndiaye.
The Senegal international was arguably Everton’s most influential attacking Premier League player last season, however, significant interest from the Saudi Pro League has raised doubts over whether he will remain at the Hill Dickinson Stadium beyond the summer.
As a result, Everton and David Moyes have seemingly wasted little time identifying a potential successor in Yilmaz.
In recent days, it was claimed that the Merseyside club submitted a £35m bid for Yilmaz, with the versatile forward one of the Turkish champions’ standout performers in recent years.
Now, the latest update suggests Everton have moved closer to a potential transfer for the Turkey international.
Terms agreed between Everton and Yilmaz
According to reports from journalist Yagiz Sabuncuoglu, relayed by Goodison News, Everton have accepted Yilmaz’s salary demand.
The 26-year-old has decided now is the right time to test himself in the Premier League and has prioritised a move to England, snubbing interest from Saudi Arabia in the process.
|
State of play |
Baris Alper Yilmaz to Everton? |
|---|---|
|
Offer made |
Everton submitted an opening bid worth around £35m to Galatasaray. |
|
Personal terms |
A breakthrough has now reportedly been made, with personal terms agreed between Everton and Yilmaz. The winger is keen on a Premier League move and has chosen England over interest from Saudi Arabia. |
|
Player’s stance |
Yilmaz believes this is the right stage of his career to test himself in England and is prepared to move to the Toffees. |
|
Transfer fee |
The clubs still need to negotiate. Galatasaray are holding out for a fee of more than Everton’s £35m offer. |
|
Likelihood |
Promising. The player wants the move and personal terms appear to be in place. The main obstacle now is agreeing on a transfer fee. |
Yilmaz is thought to be on up to £120,000-a-week with bonuses at Galatasaray, although he is ‘open’ to joining Everton for a lower salary.
It remains to be seen how much exactly his wage could be, but this decision represents a significant boost for Moyes.
With Yilmaz keen on the move and Everton giving the green light to his demands, the Toffees can now focus solely on reaching an agreement with Galatasaray.
From a football perspective, the move makes plenty of sense and could be just what Everton need ahead of the new campaign. Yilmaz registered 12 goals and 16 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions last season, helping Galatasaray to another Super Lig title.
His versatility, explosive pace and relentless work rate appear to make him well suited to the intensity of Premier League football, and should Ndiaye complete a move to Saudi Arabia, Everton will need to instantly replace their most exciting attacking star.
Yilmaz appears to be entering the prime years of his career at the age of 26 and seems eager to prove himself in England rather than take the financial rewards on offer elsewhere.
