Turkish giants Galatasaray will be interesting to watch next season after they secured two significant signatures on the same day. Belgian forward Dries Mertens and Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira arrived with much fanfare in the city that sits on two continents. Coach Okan Buruk will have two prominent personalities and excellent players at his disposal as the golden-reds attempt to reclaim dominance in the Turkish game.The investment is considerable – considering that the club isn’t competing in one of the “big five” European leagues. Galatasaray are splashing the cash this year – their spending in this transfer window exceeded $25 million.Lucas torreira deal to Galatasaray is finally official pic.twitter.com/tUk0xqSAdc— Ndubueze Prince Chiagoziem (@NdubuezePrince5) August 8, 2022 Lucas Torreira’s future has been unclear at Arsenal since Mikel Arteta became manager. The fiery midfielder had two loans – at Atletico Madrid and the most recent one at Fiorentina. Although his idea was to remain in Italy, the diminutive battler will continue his career where there isn’t quite so much pizza and spaghetti and a bit more kebabs. Galatasaray paid Arsenal just over $6 million for his signature. The Uruguayan will earn $3 million per season over the next four years. ##NAJAVA_MECA_6557041##British media had reported a few days ago that Torreira wouldn’t board the plane that was taking him to Turkey, demanding more time to think about his next career move. Either the British were lying, or Lucas had changed his mind.”I am very happy to come here. I thought about it with my family. Nando Muslera and my manager were very helpful. I am delighted that I made this decision. There was an incredible support. After conversations about my move here, the fans started talking to me on social media. They even started to communicate with my family and loved ones. They also played a part in making this decision. I felt terrific. I’m proud of the jersey I’m wearing. I am very happy to come here.”Dries Mertens – Stereo Hearts pic.twitter.com/Vkf56bo9hV— ~ (@Serg27o) August 5, 2022 Meanwhile, the veteran Belgian penned joined on a one-year contract and will earn $4 million in Istanbul. The 35-year-old left Napoli as the best goalscorer in the club’s history, having found the net 148 times in 397 matches over nine years in Campania. He received an offer from Juventus but declined out of respect for Napoli fans. Moving to the Turin club would undoubtedly be considered treason, and the wise Belgian didn’t want to spoil his love story with the south Italian club. But things have turned out nicely for him after all. “I am thrilled to be here. I spent nine years in Italy, and I felt that I was ready to make a change. I was honoured when I received an offer from a team like Galatasaray. I took an excellent step. It was a very nice welcome. I am used to such fans from Naples, but our fans’ It was crazy that they waited for us until late at night. I came here to succeed. I signed a one-year contract, but I would like to stay longer. I came to show why they want me.”🔥Yeni Transferlerimiz Lucas Torreira ve Dries Mertens’i karşıladık. #ultrAslan pic.twitter.com/P4ehof3ge0— ultrAslan (@ultrAslan) August 7, 2022 The pair arrived in Istanbul on Monday night and received a warm welcome from Galatasaray fans, including the ultras leader Sebahattin Sirin. Thousands more Galatasaray fans turned up to escort Torreira and Martins out of the airport and lined the roads with flares.We’ll keep an eye on the Galatasaray project this season. It promises to be a complete success or an utter disaster. Either way, there will be fireworks!
