logo
logo
Fred of Fenerbahce during the UEFA Conference League play-offs match

We can’t get over the ridiculous names in the Turkish Super League’s top 10 earners

Ben Stewart •

The Turkish Super League always manages to entertain and former Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham stars make their way into the 10 highest-paid players in the league.

The likes of Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas all had eye-catching summer transfer windows as they managed to attract stars from all around Europe.

We’ve taken a closer look into the highest-paid players in the league and using figures from Capology, we have compiled them into a top 10 list.

10. Michy Batshuayi

The Belgian forward didn’t leave the biggest legacy in the Premier League, but Chelsea fans will forever be thankful for that goal against West Brom which clinched the league title in 2016-17.

Since leaving England, Batshuayi has found his new home in Turkey. After a stint with Besiktas on loan, the 30-year-old joined Fenerbahce last summer and he’s not looked back since.

He’s being paid a handsome weekly wage of £58,900 by Fenerbahce at this time. His contract with the Turkish giants is set to expire next summer and time will tell if he pens a new deal.

9. Tanguy Ndombele

It’s safe to say that Ndombele’s Tottenham career hasn’t gone to plan. Despite showcasing some moments of quality, his time in north London will be remembered for large patches of inconsistency.

The 26-year-old has spent the last three seasons out on loan and Tottenham will probably still be covering a chunk of his £61,500 weekly wage while he spends the season with Galatasaray.

8. Davinson Sanchez

As the Colombian defender recognised that his first-team opportunities would have been slim under Ange Postecoglou, he probably made the right decision to leave Spurs this summer.

Sanchez penned a four-year deal with Galatasaray and is earning an estimated weekly wage of £62,700. For context, that’s around £13,000 more than new Tottenham defender Micky van de Ven is said to be earning.

7. Hakim Ziyech

Chelsea did their best to offload Ziyech this summer, but the best they could do was ship him out on loan. Like plenty of other former Premier League stars, Galatasaray happily took a punt on the playmaker by signing him on loan.

The 30-year-old is still on his original Chelsea contract and is estimated to be earning £70,200 per week. He’s already off the mark for his new club and seems to be enjoying his new surroundings.

6. Jonjo Shelvey

We’d like to know whose idea it was at Nottingham Forest to hand a 31-year-old Shelvey a contract worth £75,200 per week. After an unremarkable six-month stint at the City Ground, Forest promptly decided to send Shelvey out on loan.

The former Newcastle man joined Caykur Rizespor for the season and no doubt Forest will still be paying a portion of his wages while he plays out in Turkey.

=4. Edin Dzeko

Perhaps one of the most underrated strikers of his generation, Dzeko is still finding the back of the net on a regular basis well into his thirties.

After a short but sweet spell with Inter Milan, the 37-year-old penned a two-year deal with Fenerbahce worth £82,200 per week. He’s hit the ground running too with seven goals in his first 11 matches for his new club.

=4. Dusan Tadic

The Serbian playmaker made quite the name for himself at Ajax as he scored over 100 goals and provided over 100 assists during his five-year spell at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

Fenerbahce promptly snapped up the 34-year-old this summer and handed him a contract worth a reported £82,200 per week. We certainly won’t be surprised if he tops the assists chart come the end of the season.

3. Wilfried Zaha

Despite Crystal Palace being prepared to hand Zaha a new contract which would have made him the highest-paid player in the club’s history, he decided it was time for a new opportunity elsewhere.

Despite plenty of interest from clubs around Europe, Galatasaray won the race for his signature. The Turkish giants promptly made him the third highest-paid player in the league by offering him a weekly wage of £85,200.

2. Fred

Following a five-year stay at Old Trafford, Fred went in search of a new opportunity in the summer. Fenerbahce struck a deal for the Brazil international for a reported fee of £8.45million.

As the midfielder turned 30 earlier this year, he’ll have surely been delighted when Fenerbahce offered him a four-year deal worth an estimated £88,000 per week.

“Today ends one of the most beautiful stages of my career,” Fred said upon leaving United. “I lived the dream of wearing the shirt of one of the biggest clubs in the world.

“Going through ups and downs, I leave with the conviction that I always gave my best during all training sessions and games. It was five years of a true dream for me and my family. I will be forever grateful for the opportunity. Forever a Red.”

1. Mauro Icardi

There’s rarely a dull moment when Icardi is around. Following a successful loan spell with Galatasaray which saw Icardi score 23 goals, the Turkish giants made the move permanent this summer.

The club also made the Argentine striker the highest-paid player in the league as he is said to be earning £117,500 per week in Turkey. His goalscoring record in Turkey is immense, but we couldn’t help but chuckle at this blunder from the other week.

READ NEXT: Turkish Super Lig? Completed it mate – Oxlade-Chamberlain has turned into prime Ronaldo already

TRY A QUIZ: Can you name every player to win the Champions League & World Cup?

Wilfried Zaha Quick Reads Fred Turkish Super Lig