Sports
Brazil icon Roberto Carlos refutes viral Islam conversion claims
Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos has denied widespread reports that he converted to Islam, saying he has the “utmost respect” for the religion but that claims he embraced it following his marriage to Moroccan football agent Souhaila El Tahiri are untrue.
The 53-year-old former Real Madrid and Brazil star addressed the rumors in comments to Saudi newspaper Okaz after the claims spread rapidly across social media and news outlets in several countries.
The speculation gained momentum after photographs from Carlos’ wedding circulated online, with some posts portraying the ceremony as evidence that he had converted to Islam.
Other widely shared images were presented as showing Carlos wearing Islamic attire, although a fact-check by Lebanon’s Annahar found that one such image was AI-generated.
How the conversion claim spread
The rumors emerged earlier this week after Turkish media reported that Carlos had allegedly embraced Islam and recited the shahada, the Islamic declaration of faith, during a meeting with Sheikh Jihad Hammadeh in Sao Paulo.
The claim was amplified by Turkish lawmaker Ali Şahin, who said on Monday that he had met Hammadeh during a visit to representatives of Brazil’s Muslim community.
According to Şahin, the sheikh told him that Carlos had been in contact with him for some time, had visited him about four weeks earlier and had recited the shahada before embracing Islam. Şahin then publicly congratulated Carlos.
The allegation quickly moved beyond Turkish-language media, spreading through Arabic, English and other language communities.
Social media posts often removed the original attribution or presented the claim as established fact, making it difficult for readers to distinguish between a reported allegation and a confirmed statement from Carlos.
The story also gained traction because of Carlos’ long-standing connection to Turkish football.
The former left back played for Fenerbahçe after joining the Istanbul club in 2007 and later had coaching roles in Türkiye, including with Sivasspor and Akhisar Belediyespor.
Wedding images fuel speculation
The timing of the rumors was closely linked to Carlos’ marriage to El Tahiri, a Moroccan football agent and businesswoman.
News of their relationship and marriage had already emerged earlier in 2026, while photographs from a private wedding celebration later circulated widely online.
The ceremony included elements associated with Islamic and Moroccan traditions, including the presence of a Muslim religious figure and traditional attire.
Those images were quickly interpreted by some social media users as proof that Carlos had converted.
But the photographs did not establish a change in Carlos’ religion. A fact-check published by Annahar found no reliable evidence supporting claims attached to an image that allegedly showed Carlos in Islamic clothing and determined that the image had been generated using artificial intelligence.
The presence of an Islamic ceremony also did not, by itself, establish that Carlos had converted. Reports said the couple incorporated different traditions into their wedding to accommodate the religious backgrounds of their families and guests.
Carlos directly rejects the claims
Carlos has now directly addressed the speculation.
“I have the utmost respect for Islam and it’s wonderful to see my wife praying, but the rumors circulating about me converting to Islam are untrue,” Carlos said, according to Okaz and reports from Saudi Gazette and other outlets.
He also explained that the wedding celebrations were organized in different forms to respect the beliefs of both families.
Carlos said his Catholic family members were accommodated through ceremonies consistent with their beliefs, while ceremonies appropriate for his wife and her Muslim friends and relatives were also held.
His explanation directly challenges the interpretation that the Islamic elements of the wedding represented his own conversion.
Carlos further indicated that he respects different religions and has been learning about other faiths, while making clear that he had not converted to Islam.
He also suggested that if he ever made such a decision, he would announce it himself.
Max Verstappen has ended months of speculation over his Formula One future by signing a contract extension with Red Bull that will keep him with the team through 2030.
The four-time world champion’s future had become one of the biggest storylines of the season as Red Bull struggled for consistency and Verstappen voiced concerns about Formula One’s new technical regulations.
He had been linked with potential moves to Mercedes and McLaren and had even suggested he could consider leaving the sport.
Those questions have now been settled, at least for the foreseeable future.
Verstappen, 28, announced the extension Thursday ahead of his home Dutch Grand Prix this weekend. His previous contract was due to run through 2028 but contained performance-related clauses that could have provided an exit if Red Bull failed to deliver a competitive car.
Dutch media had reported that those clauses could have been triggered this season, adding to speculation that Verstappen could seek a move elsewhere.
Instead, he has chosen to remain with the team that has been central to his career.
“I am really pleased with the contract extension,” Verstappen said in a Red Bull statement. “We have the best people and I’m excited to keep working together with everyone to get back to the top again. This remains the ultimate goal that all of us have been working towards and will continue to pursue.”
Verstappen joined Red Bull’s junior program in 2014 before making his F1 debut with Toro Rosso the following year. He moved to Red Bull Racing during the 2016 season and won his first race for the team at the Spanish Grand Prix.
All four of his world championships have come with Red Bull.
“I have always said it: The team is like a second family for me and I feel very at home,” Verstappen said. “I came to the team hoping to be able to win races. What we went on to achieve together has been simply lovely and we have shared many incredible moments and won four World Championships.
“To continue this journey with the same team that I have been with my whole career is really special and something I have always wanted to do.”
A season that fueled uncertainty
The decision comes at a difficult point in Red Bull’s competitive cycle.
Verstappen narrowly missed out on a fifth consecutive championship last season after losing the title to Lando Norris at the final race. This season, he is still searching for his first victory and sits sixth in the drivers’ standings, 110 points behind Mercedes driver and championship leader Kimi Antonelli after 11 races.
Red Bull are fourth in the constructors’ standings, adding to concerns about whether the team can provide Verstappen with a car capable of challenging for championships under Formula One’s latest rules.
The new regulations have also frustrated Verstappen. The power units now place a much greater emphasis on electric power, with electrical and internal combustion engine components accounting for roughly equal shares of the system.
The Dutchman has been among the sport’s most outspoken critics of the changes and previously left open the possibility of walking away from Formula One altogether.
His new contract provides a clear answer to those doubts.
Mercedes and McLaren links fade
Verstappen’s uncertain future had made him one of the most sought-after drivers on the grid.
Mercedes were repeatedly linked with a move for the Dutchman as the team emerged as one of the leading forces under the new regulations. McLaren were also mentioned as a possible destination, particularly after reports that Verstappen’s longtime race engineer, Gianpiero Lambiase, is set to join the team by 2028 at the latest.
For Red Bull, retaining Verstappen removes one of the biggest uncertainties surrounding the team’s future.
Team principal Laurent Mekies said keeping the Dutchman was significant not only for Red Bull but for Formula One as a whole.
“Having Max continue with us and retaining the best driver on the grid is fantastic news for everyone at Red Bull, Oracle Red Bull Racing, as well as F1 and motorsport as a whole,” Mekies said.
He added that the decision was built on the relationship developed between Verstappen and the team over more than a decade.
“Since the very beginning, Max has embodied everything that makes Oracle Red Bull Racing special: uncompromising competitiveness, relentless determination and the courage to challenge convention,” Mekies said.
“His impact on our team and on Red Bull’s motorsport story has been transformational, and he has been fundamental to everything we have accomplished together.
“But we are not done yet. There are more races to win, more milestones to achieve and more history to write.”
The 955th anniversary of the Battle of Manzikert will be marked with a four-day program combining historical remembrance, culture and traditional Turkish sports in Ahlat and Malazgirt.
The 10th edition of the “Anatolia’s Conquest: Manzikert 1071 Commemoration Program,” organized by the Archers Foundation under the auspices of the Presidency of the Republic of Türkiye, will be held Aug. 23-26.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to attend the main commemorative events.
The program will bring athletes, cultural groups and visitors together at locations closely associated with the Seljuk victory over the Byzantine Empire in 1071.
Alongside ceremonies commemorating Sultan Alp Arslan and the battle, the event will feature national championships in traditional archery, mounted archery and kökbörü.
A turning point in Anatolian history
The Battle of Manzikert was fought Aug. 26, 1071, near modern-day Malazgirt in Muş between the Byzantine army led by Emperor Romanos IV Diogenes and the Seljuk forces commanded by Sultan Alp Arslan.
Romanos had launched a major campaign into eastern Anatolia in an effort to strengthen Byzantine control of the empire’s frontier and curb Seljuk raids. His army, which included Byzantine troops and foreign mercenaries, captured Manzikert before the emperor divided his forces and sent part of the army toward Ahlat.
Alp Arslan quickly redirected his forces and confronted the Byzantine army.
The Seljuks secured a decisive victory. Romanos was wounded and captured, becoming the first Byzantine emperor to be taken prisoner by a Muslim commander in centuries.
Historical accounts indicate that Alp Arslan treated the defeated emperor with considerable respect. The two sides reached terms that included a ransom, tribute and territorial concessions before Romanos was released.
The battle’s immediate military casualties were not necessarily catastrophic by the standards of medieval warfare, but its political consequences were far-reaching.
Romanos was later deposed, and the Byzantine Empire was plunged into internal conflict.
The resulting instability weakened Byzantine control across Anatolia and helped create conditions for increased Turkic migration and settlement.
For Turkish historical memory, Manzikert represents a defining moment in the opening of Anatolia to Turkish settlement and is widely remembered as the beginning of a process that would transform the region.
That historical significance is central to the annual commemorations, which are held at or near the sites associated with the battle.
Archery competition returns to Malazgirt
Traditional archery will take center stage in Malazgirt on Aug. 23-24 with the “955th Year Sultan Alp Arslan Open-Air Special Puta Koşusu,” organized by the Türkiye Traditional Turkish Archery Federation.
Archers from across Türkiye will compete in the event on the historic ground where Alp Arslan’s campaign unfolded nearly a millennium ago.
The competition is intended not only as a sporting event but also as a way to keep traditional archery alive. The discipline has deep roots in Turkish military and cultural history, and organizers are using the anniversary program to connect contemporary athletes with that heritage.
National title
Malazgirt will also host the finals of the TGASDF 2026 Türkiye Mounted Archery Championship on Aug. 24-25.
Organized by the Türkiye Traditional Equestrian Sports Branches Federation, the competition will determine the national champion in one of the most visually distinctive traditional equestrian disciplines.
Riders will combine speed, balance and precision as they fire arrows while moving on horseback, recreating skills historically associated with mounted warfare and Turkic equestrian culture.
The championship is expected to attract competitors from different parts of Türkiye, giving spectators an opportunity to see a traditional discipline performed at a national competitive level.
Kökbörü final comes to Ahlat
Ahlat will host the 2026 TGASDF Kökbörü League Final on Aug. 23-24.
Kökbörü is a traditional Central Asian equestrian game related to buzkashi in which teams compete while carrying a weighted object traditionally associated with a goat carcass. The fast-paced sport has long been part of the equestrian traditions of Central Asian peoples.
Teams from different regions of Türkiye will compete in Ahlat, bringing another major traditional sport into the anniversary celebrations.
The event will provide a particularly strong cultural dimension to the program, showcasing an equestrian tradition that has survived through generations and remains part of Türkiye’s efforts to preserve traditional sports.
History and living tradition
The 2026 program is designed to make the Manzikert anniversary more than a historical commemoration.
By staging national championships at locations associated with the Seljuk victory, organizers are bringing traditional sports into the center of the celebrations and presenting them as living elements of cultural heritage.
The events in Ahlat and Malazgirt will include traditional sports activities, cultural presentations and displays designed to reflect Turkic history and heritage.
The program will begin Aug. 23 and continue through Aug. 26, with major commemorative ceremonies expected to culminate with Erdoğan’s participation.
Beşiktaş welcome Kauno Zalgiris to Tüpraş Stadyumu on Thursday for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff, with a place in the competition’s league phase at stake.
The Turkish side enter the tie as clear favorites and will look to build a decisive advantage before the return match in Kaunas on Aug. 27. The clubs are meeting for the first time in European competition, with Beşiktaş bringing greater experience, squad depth and attacking quality into the matchup.
Beşiktaş reached the playoff round after edging Hradec Kralove 1-0 in the second leg, with Vaclav Cerny’s goal securing a 2-0 aggregate victory. The result also extended their impressive defensive run in Europe, with the Black Eagles recording four straight clean sheets in qualifying.
Vincenzo Italiano’s team have also made a solid start to the Turkish Super Lig season. Beşiktaş opened their domestic campaign with a 1-0 victory over Eyüpspor after finishing third last season.
Italiano has quickly placed an emphasis on defensive organization, while the club have backed him with an ambitious summer recruitment campaign. Alexander Nubel, Kassoum Ouattara, Leandro Trossard and Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic are among the notable additions as Beşiktaş look to close the gap on the leading clubs in Türkiye.
With home advantage and a significant edge in individual quality, Beşiktaş will expect to control the first leg and put themselves in a strong position before traveling to Lithuania.
Kauno Zalgiris arrive in Istanbul with a very different European experience behind them.
The Lithuanian champions were knocked out of Champions League qualifying by Dinamo Zagreb after a 7-1 aggregate defeat. They suffered a 5-0 loss in Croatia before falling 2-1 at home in the return leg.
Zeljko Sopic’s team did show resilience between those matches, beating Hegelmann 2-0, and they followed that result with a 1-1 draw against Transinvest in their latest outing. Those results have kept Kauno Zalgiris firmly in the A Lyga title race, with the club sitting second, just one point behind the leaders.
Their European campaign began with victories over Drita and KI Klaksvik in Champions League qualifying, but the two matches against Dinamo exposed the difference between Kauno Zalgiris and higher-level opposition.
Sopic will therefore demand a far more disciplined performance in Istanbul. His players will need to limit mistakes, remain compact and frustrate Beşiktaş if they are to avoid another difficult night in Europe.
Beşiktaş have no fresh injury concerns following their win over Eyüpspor, giving Italiano the flexibility to rotate his lineup while introducing some of his summer signings to competitive action.
Ouattara is available again after completing his suspension following his red card in the first leg against Hradec Kralove.
Emmanuel Agbadou and Tiago Djalo are expected to continue at the heart of the defense, while Salih Özcan appears to have moved ahead of Wilfred Ndidi in the defensive midfield battle.
That combination should allow Italiano to preserve the compact structure that has been central to Beşiktaş’s strong start in European qualifying. Four consecutive clean sheets have provided a solid foundation, but the Turkish side will now be looking to add more attacking authority to their defensive stability.
Kauno Zalgiris have no major fitness problems either, although Sopic could alter his defensive setup after the struggles against Dinamo Zagreb.
Amine Benchaib has been one of the Lithuanian side’s most influential players this season and is expected to retain his place on the wing, while Renan Oliveira should lead the attack.
Mohamed Salah’s arrival at Trabzonspor has quickly become much more than a headline transfer, with the Egyptian star driving a surge in global attention, social media growth and commercial activity before his first European appearance at the club’s home stadium.
Salah, 34, joined Trabzonspor on a free transfer after nine seasons at Liverpool, signing a two-year contract on Aug. 6.
The deal, disclosed through Türkiye’s Public Disclosure Platform, guarantees the Egypt international 17 million euros ($19.8 million) per season, including a 10 million euros base salary and a 7 million euros annual signing bonus.
It also includes performance incentives and gives Salah 20% of revenue generated by merchandise carrying his name. His agents are entitled to a 5% commission on his gross fee.
The move followed the early mutual termination of Salah’s Liverpool contract and came after talks with several clubs, including Beşiktaş, failed to produce an agreement.
For Trabzonspor, the signing has already produced an impact that extends well beyond the field.
The club finished third in the Süper Lig last season and won the Turkish Cup, earning a place in the UEFA Europa League playoffs. But the arrival of one of the world’s most recognizable football stars has dramatically expanded its international profile.
Fever beyond the pitch
One of the clearest examples came Tuesday in Cappadocia, where a giant banner reading “Hoş geldin Mohamed Salah” was suspended beneath a hot-air balloon.
The display featured Salah’s image alongside Trabzon’s traditional keşan patterns as it floated above Cappadocia’s famous fairy chimneys, valleys and rock formations.
The striking tribute turned a football welcome into a tourism spectacle, attracting attention from visitors in one of Türkiye’s most recognizable destinations.
Cappadocia, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is famous for its volcanic rock formations, cave dwellings and panoramic viewpoints, including Red Valley, Göreme, Uçhisar and Ortahisar.
The balloon was another sign of the Salah effect, which has been particularly visible online.
Trabzonspor reportedly gained about 1 million followers across its social media platforms after announcing the transfer.
Its Instagram following jumped from roughly 1.6 million to about 2.6 million, while videos connected to Salah’s arrival, signing and presentation generated more than 150 million views on Instagram.
The club’s signing ceremony at Akyazı also became a major digital hit, with one post approaching 3 million interactions.
Commercial boom
The commercial response has been just as striking.
Demand for Salah jerseys surged, particularly for the No. 10 shirt. One municipal purchase alone reportedly involved more than 6,600 shirts.
Season-ticket sales also reached a club record of 18,000, after more than 17,000 had reportedly been sold within 24 hours of Salah’s arrival.
Revenue projections connected to tickets, sponsorships and merchandise during the Salah era have been estimated at about £22 million, helping Trabzonspor offset some of the financial burden of his contract.
The figures have underlined the commercial power of a player whose name remains one of the most recognizable in world football.
Egypt embraces Trabzonspor
The impact has not been limited to Türkiye.
Salah’s popularity in Egypt has translated into direct interest in Trabzonspor, with Egyptian supporters ordering jerseys and applying for club memberships.
Trabzonspor has publicly thanked supporters in Egypt and elsewhere while encouraging international fans to visit Trabzon and attend matches at Papara Park.
Travel demand has also reflected the increased interest. Turkish Airlines added flights between Cairo and Trabzon as expectations grew for increased traffic between Egypt and the Black Sea city.
Social media monitoring has offered another indication of Salah’s international reach. Posts combining the names “Trabzonspor” and “Salah” reportedly generated about 74,700 mentions or interactions outside Türkiye, compared with roughly 59,600 inside the country.
First European night awaits
Salah has already made his competitive debut, although he did not start Trabzonspor’s opening league game.
He entered in the 58th minute of the 1-1 draw against Kasımpaşa on Aug. 15 and immediately added another attacking dimension, helping create several chances after coming on.
Trabzonspor had taken the lead through Noah Saviolo before Kasımpaşa equalized from the penalty spot shortly before Salah’s introduction.
Now comes the moment Trabzonspor supporters have been waiting for.
Salah is expected to make his first official home appearance Thursday when Trabzonspor host Hungary’s Ferencváros in the first leg of the Europa League playoff round at Papara Park.
The match is scheduled for 8:00 p.m. local time, with the 41,000-capacity stadium expected to be packed.
Salah is also expected to start as Trabzonspor look to establish an advantage before the return leg in Budapest.
Advancing through the playoff would put Trabzonspor in the Europa League league phase, while elimination would send the club into the Conference League. The match will also be the first European fixture for coach Fatih Tekke.
For Trabzonspor, however, the significance of the night stretches beyond the result.
The club has spent the past two weeks watching its social media audience expand, merchandise sales soar and international interest reach levels rarely seen in its history.
Salah has turned the Black Sea club into a global talking point almost overnight.
Trabzonspor will look to make the most of home advantage Thursday when they host Ferencvaros in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff tie, with a place in the league phase at stake.
The match at Papara Park will kick off at 8:00 p.m. local time.
The return leg is scheduled for Aug. 27 at Groupama Arena in Budapest, making Thursday’s meeting an important opportunity for Trabzonspor to build an advantage before traveling to Hungary.
Trabzonspor earned a direct place in the playoff round after winning last season’s Turkish Cup. The Black Sea Storm bypassed the earlier qualifying rounds and now face a Ferencvaros side that coach Fatih Tekke has acknowledged is stronger on paper.
That warning comes after an underwhelming start to Trabzonspor’s domestic campaign. The team opened its Super Lig season with a 1-1 draw away to Kasimpasa on Sunday, surrendering the lead after Noah Saviolo’s opener was canceled out by Adrian Benedyczak’s penalty.
Still, the match provided Trabzonspor fans with an encouraging glimpse of their biggest offseason signing.
Mohamed Salah came off the bench in the 58th minute to make his competitive debut for the club. Despite playing only around 30 minutes, the Egyptian forward made an immediate impact, recording the highest expected-goals figure of any player in the match, creating two chances and attempting eight crosses.
The performance has strengthened expectations that Salah will be handed his first start against Ferencvaros.
The 34-year-old joined Trabzonspor on a two-year contract after nine seasons at Liverpool, making the move one of the most prominent free transfers in Super Lig history. Salah also helped Egypt reach the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup and brings extensive European experience to a Trabzonspor side seeking to return to the Europa League league phase.
A first start at Papara Park would also give the club’s supporters their first opportunity to watch Salah from the opening whistle in a competitive home match.
Trabzonspor will have another major attacking threat in Paul Onuachu, who finished last season as one of the Super Lig’s joint-top scorers with 22 goals. The combination of Onuachu’s physical presence and Salah’s creativity could provide the hosts with the attacking firepower needed to break down an experienced Ferencvaros defense.
However, Tekke may also be tempted to approach the first leg cautiously. Ferencvaros have already shown their ability to navigate European qualifying ties and will arrive in Trabzon with confidence.
The Hungarian champions eliminated Gornik Zabrze in the previous qualifying round. Ferencvaros won the first leg 1-0 and drew the return 1-1 to advance 2-1 on aggregate.
That result also guaranteed Ferencvaros at least a place in the Conference League league phase, meaning they can approach the playoff with some security regardless of the outcome.
Their recent European record further underlines the challenge facing Trabzonspor. Last season, Ferencvaros recovered from a 2-0 aggregate deficit against Ludogorets to win 3-2 in the Europa League knockout playoff round.
They have also remained unbeaten away from home during this season’s qualifying campaign, beating Vojvodina and Twente while drawing with Gornik.
Papara Park, however, could provide Trabzonspor with a significant boost.
The club’s supporters have shown strong interest in the first European home match of the season, with tickets reportedly close to selling out. The 41,000-capacity stadium is expected to be packed, creating the kind of atmosphere Trabzonspor will hope can unsettle the visitors.
The hosts will have to cope with several absences. Okay Yokuslu and Arseniy Batagov were not included on the UEFA squad list because of their fitness situations, while Tim Jabol-Folcarelli continues to recover from a knee injury and Ernest Muci is sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Ferencvaros have no fresh injury concerns following their victory over Gornik and are expected to field a largely unchanged lineup.
Goalkeeper Denes Dibusz remains an important figure for the Hungarian champions, while Kristoffer Zachariassen and Lenny Joseph have played key roles in their attack during the qualifying campaign.
Galatasaray have stepped up their search for a new striker, with Alexander Sörloth emerging as a leading target after the Norwegian responded positively to initial contact with the Turkish champions.
The move comes after a disappointing opening to the 2026-27 Trendyol Süper Lig season and the departure of Mauro Icardi, who left the club this summer after his contract expired without an agreement on a renewal.
Icardi departed as Galatasaray’s all-time leading foreign goalscorer, scoring 77 goals in 134 appearances across all competitions. During his time in Istanbul, the Argentine helped the club win four consecutive Süper Lig titles, a Turkish Cup and a Turkish Super Cup.
His departure has left Galatasaray with a major hole in their attack alongside Victor Osimhen, who scored both goals in the team’s 2-2 draw with newly promoted Çorum FK on Aug. 14.
The result immediately increased pressure on the club’s management. Supporters at Rams Park voiced their frustration with chants of “yönetim istifa,” calling for the board to resign.
Galatasaray have since accelerated their transfer plans, with strengthening the center-forward position now among their priorities.
Sörloth has emerged as the club’s latest target, and Turkish reports, including those citing Sözcü, say Galatasaray have already made initial contact with the 30-year-old’s camp.
The response was reportedly positive.
Galatasaray president Dursun Özbek is also said to have approved the move, with reports suggesting further talks could take place in Istanbul in the coming days.
Sörloth currently plays for Atletico Madrid, where he joined in August 2024 after leaving Villarreal in a transfer reported to be worth about 32 million euros. He is under contract with the Spanish club until June 2028.
The Norwegian has established himself as a reliable scoring option in Spain, while his previous experience in Türkiye makes him an especially attractive target for Galatasaray.
Sörloth spent the 2019-20 season on loan at Trabzonspor from Crystal Palace and enjoyed a standout campaign. He scored 24 goals in 34 Süper Lig appearances to finish as the league’s top scorer and added further goals in the Turkish Cup and Europa League.
He finished that season with 33 goals in 49 matches across all competitions and helped Trabzonspor win the Turkish Cup.
That spell remains one of the strongest seasons of his career and could work in Galatasaray’s favor as the club attempts to convince him to return to Türkiye.
The financial side of the deal, however, could prove considerably more difficult.
Atletico are understood to be seeking a transfer fee of around 40 million euros, while reports have suggested Sörloth would want a salary package of between 10 million and 12 million euros per year to leave Spain for Istanbul.
Galatasaray have also explored the possibility of taking the striker on loan with an obligation to buy, a structure that could make the deal easier to complete financially.
The club would also need to consider the Süper Lig’s foreign-player regulations. Bringing in an experienced foreign striker over the age threshold would require Galatasaray to make room within their squad, potentially forcing the departure or reclassification of another foreign player.
Sörloth is not the only option under consideration.
If negotiations with Atletico fail, Galatasaray are reported to have identified Bayer Leverkusen striker Patrik Schick as a possible alternative. Sörloth has also attracted interest from other clubs, including previous attention from Fenerbahçe.
Atletico, meanwhile, are considering changes to their attacking group and are open to player sales as they reshape their squad.
No formal Galatasaray bid for Sörloth had been accepted as of Tuesday, with negotiations still at an early stage.
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