Photo by Ali Atmaca/Anadolu via Getty Images
Photo by Ali Atmaca/Anadolu via Getty Images
Everton were linked with a lot of wingers in the summer, including Baris Alper Yilmaz, whose start to 2026/27 hasn’t exactly been fruitful.
In the end, Everton brought back their loan players from last season – Jack Grealish and Tyrique George, and also signed Brennan Johnson from Crystal Palace, with Dwight McNeil moving in the opposite direction as part of a swap.
So far, there have been great signs with Everton’s wingers.
Grealish is statistically the most creative player in the league, while George has produced several exciting displays and scored a cracking goal in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United. Tyler Dibling has also shown real promise in recent weeks.
Although the squad is very small, Everton seemingly won’t have any real regrets about not signing Yilmaz.
Baris Alper Yilmaz lacking impact for Galatasaray after Everton links
It was claimed Everton had actually seen a £35 million bid for Yilmaz rejected towards the end of the last window.
But those who really wanted him to pitch up at the Hill Dickinson Stadium need not be too upset, because the Turkey international has had a very slow start to the 2026/27 season so far and isn’t exactly proving why Everton were interested.
So far, he’s turned out seven times for Gala across all competitions, and has not scored or assisted yet. His Fotmob data shows he’s had nine shots, with just one of those hitting the target. He has created just seven chances, four of which were ‘big’.
He also has a woeful successful dribbles percentage of just 9%. His crossing has been pretty poor too, with just 20% of them so far finding a teammate.
These are highly disappointing numbers for a player who scored 12 goals and laid on 16 assists for teammates across all competitions.
He did get on the scoresheet for Turkey the other night against Italy. But in the following game against Belgium he picked up a yellow card, meaning he is suspended for their game against Italy tonight. He has left their camp, with manager Okan Buruk giving him special permission to return to his club. Hurriyet reports the player’s morale is very low right now.
Given the money that was being mentioned for Yilmaz a few weeks ago, Everton will perhaps feel slightly glad a move didn’t materialise. While the squad is short on numbers, the current wide options are all looking good and hopefully they will supply the goods for Thierno Barry up top, as well as chip in with goals themselves.