Galatasaray are no longer content with being the dominant force in Turkish football; they have set their sights on the European elite. Following a stunning 5-2 victory over Juventus in the Champions League, vice-president Abdullah Kavukcu has outlined a blueprint to transform the Istanbul giants into a global powerhouse within five years. Central to this revolution is the successful integration of marquee signings from Serie A, a market the club has raided with increasing frequency and financial might.

While the November international break was one for the ages as teams around the globe kept their World Cup dreams alive in dramatic circumstances, the return of club football marks a magic time in the calendars of many fans, as it means we are now at the beginning of four uninterrupted months of club action. This is when narratives truly take form, with teams able to build momentum and set off on potentially season-defining runs.

Turkey head coach Vincenzo Montella has showered praise on two of his best players - Juventus youngster Kenan Yildiz and Inter playmaker Hakan Calhanoglu. He called Yildiz "a complete player" after his breakthrough at club level, and described Calhanoglu as "extraordinary" after the midfielder reclaimed a "fundamental" role at Inter. Montella’s backing comes as both men carry big club responsibilities and Turkey look ahead to World Cup qualifying tests.

Fenerbahce president Ali Koc revealed that Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu had agreed to join the club in the summer. The revelation comes despite Calhanoglu publicly declaring his lifelong support for Fenerbahce’s arch-rivals Galatasaray. In the end, neither side was able to finalise a transfer, and the Turkish international remained in Italy for the season.