Michy Batshuayi’s Impact at Galatasaray After Fenerbahçe Exit: A Hopeful Sign for Champions League Success

Fenerbahçe’s Michy Batshuayi move gives Galatasaray hope for the Champions League! €27 million…

At the beginning of the season, Michy Batshuayi, who Fenerbahçe did not extend the contract of, gave Galatasaray hope in their UEFA Champions League play-off first leg match against Young Boys with two goals, despite the 3-2 defeat. Here are the details…

Galatasaray faced Swiss side Young Boys away in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round. The yellow-reds were down 2-0 at halftime but made a strong start to the second half, leveling the score at 2-2. However, a late penalty saw them lose 3-2, leaving their hopes of advancing to the group stage hanging on the return leg in Istanbul.

MICHY BATSHUAYI SHINES
Elias Jelert, one of Galatasaray’s new signings, started the match, while Michy Batshuayi came on as a substitute in the second half.

The Belgian striker, who replaced Dries Mertens in the 66th minute, scored with his first touch of the ball, reducing the deficit to 1. Six minutes later, Batshuayi received a pass from Kerem Aktürkoğlu and curled the ball into the net with his left foot from the edge of the penalty area, making it 2-2.

With these two goals against Young Boys, Michy Batshuayi became the first Galatasaray player since Milan Baros (August 2010; against Karpaty Lviv) to score a brace in a European cup match after coming off the bench.

After also scoring as a substitute in Galatasaray’s league match against Hatayspor, Batshuayi has now netted 3 goals for his new club.

THOUGHTS TURN TO HIS FENERBAHÇE DEPARTURE
Batshuayi’s performance, especially his late winner against Hatayspor in the first week of the Süper Lig, brought back memories of his departure from Fenerbahçe.

Last season, Batshuayi was often the second-choice striker behind Edin Dzeko at Fenerbahçe, yet he scored crucial goals after coming on as a substitute in many matches. In the final weeks of the season, he started to find a place in the starting eleven.

In 43 official matches for Fenerbahçe last season, Michy Batshuayi scored 24 goals and provided 3 assists, directly contributing to 27 goals. With the season’s end, speculation about his future at Fenerbahçe grew. After the club’s presidential election, Batshuayi’s situation became clear.

WHY DID FENERBAHÇE PULL OUT?
It was claimed that Fenerbahçe offered Batshuayi a contract worth €3.1 million per year, but the striker demanded an offer similar to the one he received from Galatasaray. As a result, Fenerbahçe reportedly withdrew from the contract extension negotiations.

THE COST TO GALATASARAY
In the statement made to the stock exchange regarding Batshuayi’s transfer to Galatasaray, it was announced: “A 3-season agreement has been reached with professional footballer Michy Batshuayi-Atunga. According to the agreement, a signing fee of €1,500,000 for the 2024-2025 season, €1,000,000 for the 2025-2026 season, and €500,000 for the 2026-2027 season