Turin Transfer Market: Emirhan Ilkhan Must Avoid a Setback—A New Opportunity Emerges

Torino has regained its enthusiasm following the victory in Florence, but the team’s new lineup risks leaving less playing time for Emirhan Ilkhan. The Turkish midfielder has yet to start a game this season, and Abate gave him just 23 minutes—plus stoppage time—in the match against Sassuolo. The arrivals of Mandragora and Bragança have further increased competition in midfield, complicating the player’s prospects.

His contractual situation also makes his position more precarious. Ilkhan’s contract with Torino is set to expire on June 30, and the club wants to avoid losing him without receiving any compensation. Several options are on the table: a transfer to a country where the transfer window is still open, a contract extension, or postponing any decision until January. This last option, however, could force the Turkish player to spend several months with few opportunities to take the field.

For this reason, Petrachi is working to find a solution that will prevent Ilkhan from remaining on the sidelines. There aren’t many alternatives, considering that the transfer window has already closed in most leagues. Among the options still on the table is Greece, where transfers can be finalized until September 15.

This isn’t the first time Ilkhan’s name has been mentioned in connection with the transfer market. In recent weeks, Cagliari had already tested the waters for the Turkish midfielder, identifying him as a possible replacement for Matteo Prati, who was transferred to Racing Santander. Sporting director Fabio Pisacane had asked President Giulini to make an extra effort to fill the void left by the midfielder born in 2003, and Ilkhan emerged as one of the leading candidates. The negotiations, however, had not taken off, partly due to competition from several English Championship clubs, which had set their sights on the player and were preparing to submit concrete offers to Torino.

The fact that interested clubs from England had also made moves attests to the international regard in which Ilkhan is held, despite the difficult spell he has experienced with Torino. This is a factor that Petrachi could use to his advantage in negotiations, knowing full well that the player has no shortage of admirers. The Greek transfer window therefore represents a real opportunity, but time is running out, and every passing day further reduces the room to maneuver in finding a solution that satisfies all parties.