Galatasaray is on the verge of landing French midfielder Lesley Ugochukwu from Burnley in a deal worth up to €24 million, according to transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano. The Turkish champions have submitted an official bid featuring a €2 million loan fee plus a €22 million mandatory purchase option, and personal terms with the player are already agreed.

The deal and its financial architecture

Ugochukwu, who turned 22 in March, moved from Rennes to Chelsea in August 2023 for roughly €27 million, then landed at Burnley on August 6, 2025, for approximately €28.7 million on a five-year contract.

Now, barely a season later, Burnley could take a loss on the midfielder. Galatasaray’s €24 million total package falls short of Burnley’s asking price of €25-35 million for a permanent sale. The English club initially rejected an earlier loan-to-buy proposal, holding out for a straight transfer.

Romano indicated on July 9 that he expects the deal to close within days, suggesting the two sides are converging. Ugochukwu managed 38 appearances for Burnley in the 2025-26 season, contributing three goals and two assists, but limited playing time appears to have made him receptive to starting fresh in Istanbul.