Galatasaray bid for Sheffield United’s Ismaila Coulibaly

Galatasaray have submitted a bid for the services of Sheffield United’s Ismaila Coulibaly, according to Sky Sports.

The 20-year-old midfielder started out with Senegalese side Oslo FA Dakar and also played for Sarpsborg 08 in Norway, before the Blades signed him for around £2 million last summer. He was immediately shipped out on a three-year loan Beerschot to gather some valuable first-team experience to aid his development.

In 2020-21, Coulibaly made a total of 23 appearances in all competitions and scored five goals for the Belgian side. Primarily a central, box-to-box midfielder, the two-time Mali Under-20 international can also play in a deeper role, protecting the back line.

Sheffield United already rejected an offer of £10 million for his signature from AC Milan, and it is believed that Galatasaray’s offer, amounting to £12.9m, still falls short of their valuation of the player. If that proves correct and the Blades turn the bid down, it remains to be seen if the Turkish Super Lig club return with an improved one.