As the 2025-2026 Süper Lig season concluded, the focus has shifted to transfers, with all club executives, particularly those of the Big Four (Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Galatasaray, and Trabzonspor), gearing up to strengthen their rosters. The major issue facing these clubs is the return of players loaned at the beginning of the season.

MOST PERFORMED POORLY, SOME DID NOT

The Big Four clubs loaned a total of 46 players to other teams during the 2025-2026 season, with 44 of them returning due to underperformance. These players, valued at a combined $152.8 million, are expected to be loaned out again next season, as most did not perform well in their loaned teams.

ZANIOLO'S FATE REMAINS UNCERTAIN

Galatasaray faces the most significant challenge with 12 out of 13 players returning, excluding Wilfried Zaha whose contract will expire. Among the returning players are high-value players like Nicolo Zaniolo ($13 million), Victor Nelsson ($7.5 million), Elias Jelert ($7 million), Carlos Cuesta ($7 million), and Przemyslaw Frankowski ($7 million).

FENERBAHÇE'S FOREIGN LOAN DILEMMA

Fenerbahçe must contend with 11 returning players, valued at $41.8 million, as their new president and management team will be chosen at an extraordinary congress on June 6-7. The club's most expensive returning players include Sofyan Amrabat ($12 million), Cengiz Ünder ($6 million), and Diego Carlos ($6 million). The presence of six foreign players will complicate matters further.

BESIKAÇ' S LIMITED SPACE FOR RETURNING PLAYERS

Beşiktaş's 11 loaned players will return, with 10 of them valued at $33 million. Ernest Muci was purchased by Trabzonspor for $8.5 million, but the remaining players, excluding Semih Kılıçsoy ($13 million), are expected to be loaned out again. At Trabzonspor, the decision on which of the 11 loaned players, valued at $31.25 million, will remain with the team next season will be made by head coach Fatih Tekke.