Yaser Asprilla touched down in Istanbul late Friday night, ready to complete his transfer to Galatasaray after the Turkish giants sealed a deal with Girona for the talented Colombian winger. The 22-year-old was spotted at the airport alongside his agent, Jonathan Herrera, and intermediary, Ludovic Fattizzo, all smiles as they headed toward medical tests and the official signing.
It’s the kind of move that gets fans buzzing in the middle of winter. Galatasaray have been busy this January, first bringing in Noa Lang on a similar loan setup and now adding Asprilla to beef up the attacking options. The deal, first flagged as “here we go” by Fabrizio Romano, is structured as an initial loan with an obligation to buy based on appearances – potentially reaching around €23 million if it all clicks into place permanently.
Girona, sitting pretty in La Liga and even tasting Champions League football this season, weren’t desperate to sell mid-campaign, but Galatasaray’s offer hit the sweet spot.
Asprilla himself looks thrilled. Club social media shared a quick video of him greeting the camera with a warm “Merhaba Galatasaray ailesi” – hello to the Galatasaray family. He even tried the famous three-finger salute for the cameras, wrapped in a yellow-and-red scarf against the chilly Istanbul evening.
Small moments like that go a long way with the passionate supporters at Rams Park. They’ve been crying out for more flair on the wings, especially with the squad juggling league dominance and European nights.
The young Colombian has come a long way in a short time. He broke through at Envigado back home as a teenager, catching eyes with his quick feet and eye for goal. Watford snapped him up in 2022 for a modest fee, and though he didn’t get tonnes of Premier League minutes, his flashes in the Championship and cup games showed real promise.
Last summer, Girona paid big – around €18 million – to take him to Spain. He’s adapted well, popping up with goals and assists in limited starts, often coming off the bench to change games. That direct running, clever dribbling in tight spaces, and ability to play both wings or even drift inside make him a modern attacker. At the international level, he’s already got caps and goals for Colombia, rubbing shoulders with the big names.
For Okan Buruk’s side, this feels like smart business. They’re chasing another Süper Lig title and have ambitions in Europe. Adding depth behind established stars without breaking the bank upfront is clever, especially with financial rules always lurking.
Herrera, Asprilla’s long-time representative, had fielded interest from clubs like Benfica, Ajax, and Marseille, but the project at Galatasaray – the stadium atmosphere, the winning mentality, the chance for regular minutes – won out. Fattizzo’s involvement smoothed the negotiations, helping bridge the gap between Girona’s demands and what the Istanbul club could offer.
Fans flooded social media as soon as the airport photos dropped. Some were posting old highlights of Asprilla nutmegging defenders, others joking about how many South Americans the squad will have by February.
It’s that classic Galatasaray energy – big moves, big personalities, big expectations. Asprilla’s youth fits the mould too; he’s not coming as a finished product but as someone who could grow into a star under the bright lights of Turkish football.
Medical checks are set for Saturday, with the official announcement and shirt presentation likely to follow quickly. If all goes smoothly, he could even be in contention for minutes soon – the schedule is packed, and fresh legs are gold.
Girona supporters will miss his spark, but they’ve got their fee secured down the line. For Asprilla, this is the next chapter: trading La Liga’s technical battles for the intensity of Süper Lig derbies and those roaring midweek European nights.
January transfers can be hit or miss, but this one has the feel of a winner. A hungry young talent, a club on the rise, and that unmistakable buzz around a new arrival. Istanbul’s cold tonight, but things are heating up at Galatasaray. Yaser Asprilla is here, and the yellow-red half of the city can’t wait to see what he brings.
