Galatasaray, the reigning Super Lig champion, has reportedly added Borussia Dortmund's Julian Brandt to their transfer list. The 30-year-old German star, whose contract with Dortmund is expiring, is considered one of the most sought-after players in the European transfer market.
The Turkish Football Federation's (TFF) 10+4 foreign player rule poses the biggest obstacle to the transfer. According to the current rule, clubs can only have up to 10 foreign players over the age of 23 and an additional four for players under 23.
TFF's 10+4 RULE THREATENS TRANSFER
Galatasaray already has 10 foreign players over the age of 23 on their roster, making Brandt's transfer contingent on a change in the TFF's foreign player rule.
If the TFF does not revise the rule, the transfer of the 30-year-old Julian Brandt, who has scored 57 goals and provided 70 assists in 307 matches for Dortmund over six seasons, may fall through.
POTENTIAL RULE REVISION?
Rumors suggest that some clubs are in talks with the TFF to revise the 10+4 rule to a 12+4 rule. If the TFF maintains the current rule, the transfer of Julian Brandt to Galatasaray will likely be shelved.
Brandt's transfer seems like a no-brainer for Galatasaray, but bureaucracy always finds a way to ruin things. Will TFF bend the rules for a star player, or will they stick to their outdated quota system? Let's hope reason prevails!