At a glance
- Newcastle show interest in Galatasaray’s Yilmaz
- The Turk’s growing reputation this season
- Newcastle scouting for a potential addition next summer
Newcastle United reportedly sent scouts to watch Baris Alper Yilmaz during Galatasaray’s 4-0 loss to Liverpool last night. The club continues to assess their potential summer transfer targets.
The Magpies aren’t the only club trying to get his signature. Brighton and Crystal Palace have also joined the race and also had scouts in attendance.
Eddie Howe and his transfer chiefs are looking to bolster their attacking options ahead of the next season. Yilmaz has emerged as a player of growing interest amid a fine spell in Turkiye.
The 25-year-old is expected to be closely monitored, especially during their round of 16 tie against Liverpool. The scouting team were keen to assess his performance against an elite opposition.
Iron Man’s growing attention
Yilmaz has built himself a reputation for his durability, consistency and relentless work rate. Described as the ‘Iron Man’, the nickname also reflects his ability to cope with tight schedules, having appeared in most of Galatasaray’s fixtures without a dip in his stride.
| Baris Alper Yilmaz (Super Lig 2025-26) | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Appearances: | 23 |
| Goals: | 6 |
| Assists: | 9 |
| Expected goals (xG): | 6.98 |
| Expected assists (xA): | 3.94 |
| Big chances created: | 9 |
| Key passes: | 2.0 |
| Successful dribbles: | 1.7 (53%) |
| Ground duels won: | 4.3 (47%) |
In addition to his physical attributes, Newcastle values his reliability highly. Yilmaz has produced impressive numbers this season, scoring 8 goals and assisting 11 times across all competitions. His end product, along with his versatility, has made him a standout player for the Turkish league leaders.
Yilmaz offers a lot more than just goals and assists. He is capable of playing across the frontline, the kind of tactical flexibility Newcastle values.
Whether he’s on the wing or in a more central role, his pace, physicality and direct style make him a huge threat to the opposition defences. He could suit Howe’s brand of football and help give him more options.
Liverpool perfect scouting opportunity?
The Round of 16 second leg against Liverpool presented a perfect opportunity for Newcastle’s scouts to study him under pressure. Facing an elite opposition like Arne Slot’s Premier League champions in a highly anticipated European fixture is often seen as a key benchmark when assessing potential signings.
But with Liverpool running out 4-0 winners at Anfield, the Magpies will likely continue to assess the winger beyond this fixture. Tracking his progress for the remainder of the season before moving in for a potential swoop this summer.
The competition for his signature could intensify in the coming months. Multiple clubs, along with Newcastle, are looking to add him to their squad.
If Yilmaz can live up to the ‘Iron Man’ reputation for the remainder of the season, it will immensely strengthen the Magpies’ interest to move in with conviction for them as they prepare for a crucial summer in the transfer market.
