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Galatasaray head coach Okan Buruk indicated that the club has moved forward in contract talks with Mario Lemina, while the club president is set to meet Mauro Icardi next week, following the Turkish champions’ final league game of the season.
Speaking after Galatasaray’s 1-0 defeat to Kasimpasa in the final week of the Trendyol Super Lig season, Buruk shifted attention toward squad planning and transfer preparations while also addressing concerns over a newly discussed foreign-player regulation in Turkish football.
The Istanbul side, which had already secured the league title before the match, wrapped up the domestic campaign with a narrow loss as Kasimpasa fought to stay clear of relegation.
Reflecting on the match, Buruk said the team had gone through a demanding schedule across domestic and European competitions and had opted to leave out several players who had carried a heavy workload throughout the campaign.
He suggested Galatasaray had still fielded a competitive side and pushed for a result, but Kasımpaşa’s determination, driven by concerns around the relegation zone, prevented them from finding an equalizer after conceding in the first half.
Buruk also underlined that Galatasaray had reached the last 16 in European competition and wanted to build on that progress, adding that preparations for the transfer window had already begun despite the end of the league season.
Among the clearest updates offered after the match were remarks on the futures of Mario Lemina and Mauro Icardi, two players whose situations have drawn attention ahead of next season.
Buruk revealed that negotiations over a contract extension with Lemina had reached an advanced stage. On Icardi, he said club leadership would sit down with the Argentine striker during the week.
Buruk also voiced concern over uncertainty surrounding a proposed foreign-player rule in Turkish football, saying clubs had been left confused over how the regulation would be implemented.
He pointed to reports suggesting a “10+4” format—referring to limits on foreign players—and argued that many clubs were not prepared for such a shift, especially teams preparing for the UEFA Champions League.
The Galatasaray coach suggested frequent rule changes had made long-term planning difficult, adding that clubs with existing contracts and competitive European ambitions could struggle to adapt quickly.
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