Okay Yokuslu’s agent, Batur Altiparmak, has ruled out any prospective deal in which the West Brom midfielder would have joined Galatasaray.
The Turkish club were said to be interested in signing the Albion midfielder this summer [Chris Lepowski, 3 September], with the Super Lig’s transfer market open until Friday (15 September).
But a move away from The Hawthorns does not look to be on the cards in the near future, with Yokuslu’s representative stating that the 29-year-old will remain in the Championship since neither side has addressed a prospective transfer.
Altiparmak remarked on beIN SPORTS on Tuesday (12 September): “There was no communication between us and Galatasaray.” At the start of the season, we were contacted and inquired about our condition. We stated that we did not want to pursue our football careers in England.
“Some Turkish clubs inquired about the situation as well, but we refused unless there was an exceptional circumstance.” We are adamant about continuing our football careers in England.”
Yokuslu’s form, like that of West Brom, has been poor at points this season. But it’s a great godsend that the midfielder is likely to stay at The Hawthorns beyond the conclusion of the Turkish transfer window, as Carlos Corberan can’t afford to have his choices constrained any more.
If the 29-year-old had decided to return to his homeland, the Baggies would not have been able to sign a replacement (other than a prospective free agent) until the January transfer window, leaving them bereft of choices in the centre of the park.
However, the Turkish midfielder’s health remains in doubt, since he has yet to play a whole 90-minute game this season. If he is as eager to stay in England as his agency suggests, he will need to improve his fitness and performance.
It appears likely that he will play when the Baggies return to action against Bristol City on Saturday (16 September), and hopefully he will have done enough work with Corberan and his coaching staff over the international break to have a positive impact now that he has put the speculation about his future behind him.
