Turkish basketball coach Ergin Ataman has criticised the country’s football clubs for failing to make an impact in Europe despite spending heavily on transfers, including Victor Osimhen’s record €80 million move to Galatasaray.

Speaking to habersarikirmizi, the Galatasaray fan questioned the logic of huge investments without continental success:

“Football in Türkiye has its own economy. Millions of dollars are being spent. There is no success in Europe. You see, my team is Galatasaray. Osimhen is 80 million euros. Okay, but is all this just to become the Turkish champion?
For me, the criterion is to be successful in Europe—to reach the semi-finals of a European cup. It is not necessary to be a champion. This has not been achieved for years.”

Galatasaray secured Osimhen’s signing from Napoli during the summer transfer window, making him the most expensive acquisition in Turkish football history.