Galatasary have offered Fulham the services of their former winger Ryan Babel for free if they can extend Jean Michael Seri’s loan for another year, according to reports in Turkey.
Turkish newspaper Sozcu suggests that Fatih Terim is eager to keep Seri, who endured a distinctly underwhelming season at Craven Cottage after signing from Nice for around £25m, at the Turk Telekom Stadium after the Ivorian international impressed during his loan spell. The midfielder made 37 appearances, scoring two goals, as Galatasary finished sixth in the Turkish Super League and Terim is keen to build his midfield around the 29 year-old.
The Turkish giants don’t have the funds to sign Seri permanently, who is expected to return to pre-season training at Motspur Park on Monday, so they have proposed another season-long loan with Ryan Babel, who is surplus to Terim’s requirements, heading in the other direction. The Dutch winger, now 33, enjoyed an excellent brief spell with the Whites, scoring five times in sixteen appearances, before leaving after Scott Parker’s side were relegated from the top flight. Babel hasn’t impressed with Galatasaray – he was loaned out to Ajax for the second half of last season – and is seeking first-team football to boost his chances of making the Holland squad for the delayed European Championships this summer.
Get it done! #BringBabelBack
Win win for FFC.
I think Babel is more aware of the challenges of the premier league, so a good acquisition although age may not be on his side (or ours).
Seri looked a good player initially but the speed, and physicality of the league and the general malaise that set in across the whole club as the season progressed, particularly once The Tinkerman arrived, would have killed anyone’s self belief. Let Parker decide whether he is worth a punt.
Given that both players’ contracts expire at the end of next season, we’re really talking about a straight swap of loans on a 1 year deal, which seems reasonable except you have to think about the fact we spent £25m on a 27 year old Seri (who has still got resale value) a couple of years ago and whether we would have been prepared to pay £25m for a 31 year old Babel at that point.
I don’t think it’s an equivalent swap unless the deal is that we get Babel on a free transfer permanent deal where he signs a 2 or 3 year contract or they pay us a fee plus Babel for that one year deal but, even then, at 33 years old & coming back into the Premiership, do we still think he has the legs? Why don’t Ajax want to keep him?
I dunno, I’d love to have Babel back at the club, but my logical head says keeping Seri or at least selling him on is the better option.
I thought Seri was a disrupted influence in the dressing room. Babal gave his heart and sole playing for Fulham. Financially it is not a good deal considering how much we overpaid for Seri but lets get it done it is a short term gain
SERIously, anyway of getting rid of Seri for good has to be a good move, I wouldn’t even want him back for a training session.