Football’s big names flock to Turkish Süper Lig. But why?

The Turkish Süper Lig has become one of the biggest stories of the 2026 summer transfer window, with established stars choosing Türkiye despite Saudi Arabia and Major League Soccer remaining among football’s most lucrative destinations.

Mohamed Salah, Romelu Lukaku, Mason Greenwood and Leandro Trossard headline the arrivals, while Fenerbahçe have also signed Manchester City defender Nathan Ake.

Salah’s move to Trabzonspor is the clearest example. The 34-year-old Egyptian captain left Liverpool after nine seasons and joined as a free agent on a two-year contract.

Trabzonspor disclosed a guaranteed package of 17 million euros ($19.9 million) per season, including a 10 million euros salary and 7 million euros annual signing payment, plus bonuses and 20% of revenue from products sold under his name.

Trabzonspor fans holding a Mohamed Salah scarf during the UEFA Europa League play-off match against Ferencvaros at Papara Park, Trabzon, Türkiye, Aug. 20, 2026. (AA Photo)

Fenerbahçe have been even more aggressive. The Istanbul club signed Greenwood from Marseille for 39 million euros, payable in three installments over three years. The 24-year-old agreed to a four-year contract after scoring 37 league goals in two seasons in France.

Fenerbahçe's Mason Greenwood in action during the UEFA Champions League play-off match against Lyon at Chobani Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 18, 2026. (AA Photo) — Fenerbahçe’s Mason Greenwood in action during the UEFA Champions League play-off match against Lyon at Chobani Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 18, 2026. (AA Photo)

Lukaku followed from Napoli on a one-year deal with an option for another season. The fee was undisclosed, although reports put it at about 6 million euros plus bonuses. Beşiktaş then added Trossard from Arsenal for a reported 18 million euros.

Romelu Lukaku exits the plane ahead of his Fenerbahçe transfer move, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 12, 2026. (IHA Photo)

Together, the moves make the Süper Lig look like football’s latest destination for major stars.

But the boom is concentrated around Türkiye’s traditional four biggest clubs: Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor.

They are not simply collecting famous players. They are chasing the Süper Lig title, European qualification and deeper runs in UEFA competitions.

Galatasaray are defending four consecutive championships, while Fenerbahçe, Beşiktaş and Trabzonspor are spending heavily to close the gap.

The spending is striking because of the clubs’ financial situation.

Türkiye’s four major clubs carried combined debt of about 85 billion Turkish lira as of May 31, 2026, equivalent to roughly 1.6 billion euros at late-July exchange rates.

Their combined operating losses were about 24 billion lira, with Galatasaray the only one to record a net profit, according to financial statements filed through the Public Disclosure Platform.

Currency also matters.

Clubs with largely lira-based costs can benefit when they generate significant euro income through UEFA competitions and international commercial agreements. A weak lira can make those revenues more valuable against domestic expenses.

Türkiye’s biggest advantage over Saudi Arabia and MLS, however, is European football.

Saudi clubs can often offer more money, while MLS provides substantial salaries and a different lifestyle. Neither offers UEFA competition.

Türkiye does.

For the 2026-27 season, Galatasaray earned a direct Champions League league-phase place as Turkish champion. Fenerbahçe entered Champions League qualifying, while Trabzonspor reached the Europa League playoff round after winning the Turkish Cup. Beşiktaş also entered the Europa League qualifying path.

For players who still want to compete on Europe’s biggest club stage, that matters.

Türkiye’s biggest clubs also have some of Europe’s most intense supporter cultures. Packed stadiums, enormous expectations and fierce rivalries create an environment familiar to players who have spent their careers at major European clubs.

More than 20,000 Beşiktaş supporters attended Trossard’s signing ceremony at Tüpraş Stadium, underlining the attention generated by a marquee arrival.

Beşiktaş's Leandro Trossard in action during the UEFA Europa League qualifying third-round match against Hradec Kralove at Tüpraş Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 13, 2026. (AA Photo) — Beşiktaş’s Leandro Trossard in action during the UEFA Europa League qualifying third-round match against Hradec Kralove at Tüpraş Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 13, 2026. (AA Photo)

Türkiye has also built a reputation as a place where established stars can revive or extend their careers. Gheorghe Hagi, Wesley Sneijder, Didier Drogba and Robin van Persie helped establish that tradition, while Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sane have more recently shown the league can attract players still capable of performing at the highest level.

The current wave is different because the arrivals are not all near retirement.

Greenwood is 24, Trossard is 31, Lukaku is 33 and Salah is 34. They have different motivations. Greenwood sees Fenerbahçe as a platform for the next stage of his career. Lukaku is looking to regain momentum after an injury-hit season. Trossard left a Premier League champion while still capable of making an impact. Salah has chosen a new challenge without leaving European football.

So why does it feel like everyone is going to Türkiye?

Because the biggest clubs are making major moves at the same time.

Fenerbahçe have Greenwood, Lukaku and Ake. Beşiktaş have Trossard. Trabzonspor have Salah, while Galatasaray remain the domestic powerhouse and continue to build for Europe.

Fenerbahçe's Nathan Ake in action during the Süper Lig match against Gençlerbirliği at Eryaman Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 15, 2026. (AA Photo) — Fenerbahçe’s Nathan Ake in action during the Süper Lig match against Gençlerbirliği at Eryaman Stadium, Istanbul, Türkiye, Aug. 15, 2026. (AA Photo)

It is not everyone, though. It is mainly four ambitious clubs pursuing the same prizes: the Süper Lig title, Champions League access and European success.

That gives Türkiye a rare middle ground. Saudi Arabia can offer extraordinary money, but not UEFA competition. MLS offers money and lifestyle, but not Champions League nights in Europe. Türkiye can offer major salaries, enormous crowds and a route to European football.

The financial model remains the biggest question. The four giants carry enormous debts and operating losses, and there is no guarantee their spending will produce the European success needed to justify it.

For now, however, Türkiye has found a powerful recruitment formula: serious money, serious football and the chance to compete on Europe’s biggest stage.

DAILYSABAH