• Premier League

Galatasaray welcome Chelsea link with Yilmaz

ESPN staff
October 12, 2013
Burak Yilmaz was Galatasaray's top scorer last season © PA Photos
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Galatasaray president Unal Aysal has welcomed Chelsea's reported interest in striker Burak Yilmaz.

Recent reports have speculated that the Blues are prepared to offer Demba Ba in part-exchange for Yilmaz, 28, as they look to improve their attack.

Aysal has now encouraged any potential interest in the Turkey international, who was, along with Cristiano Ronaldo, the leading scorer in last season's Champions League group stage.

Speaking at the Leaders in Football conference at Stamford Bridge, Aysal said: "If he wants to go and Chelsea are interested then of course, why not? I favour Turkish players going to Europe to play in European leagues."

However, he said Chelsea had "not yet" made an approach, adding: "We had some requests from Lazio at the end of the summer, but the deal didn't go through because the conditions were not satisfied."

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