West Ham had bid rejected for £30m star who now suggests he ‘would love’ to sign

Positivity is the key, reported West Ham United target and Galatasaray forward Baris Alper Yilmaz explains, to establishing yourself as one of the most adaptable footballers in the game.

This season alone, the Turkey international has played in no fewer than seven different positions.

While most of his 14 goals and six assists have come when cutting inside from the left-wing, Baris Alper Yilmaz has also been utilised on the right, in midfield, at centre-forward and even as an attack-minded full-back.

Galatasaray’s man for all occasions and all positions seldom lets doubts get the better of him. Without that innate, seemingly impervious self-confidence, Yilmaz might have found those more unfamiliar roles somewhat daunting.

But, by his own admission, very little manages to successfully intimidate Baris Alper Yilmaz. And that includes a big-money move to one of the major leagues of European football.

A reported West Ham United target since before Euro 2024, Galatasaray value Yilmaz at £33.5 million.

Presuming a switch to the London Stadium is still on the cards – West Ham allegedly had a £21 million bid rejected by the Turkish champions in January – this is an opportunity the 25-year-old powerhouse will have no issues grabbing with both hands.

Baris Alper Yilmaz opens up on transfer plans amid West Ham United interest

Speaking this week, after Galatasaray successfully held off competition from Jose Mourinho’s Fenerbahce to seal a second successive Super Lig title, Baris Alper Yilmaz admitted that he would like a new challenge away from the club he joined in 2021.

“I really want to play in Europe,” Yilmaz begins, praying that the Galatasaray bosses are happy to reward four years of excellent service. “I would like to thank my club. We are here today thanks to them.