It is remarkable, at least from a Dutch perspective, that Galatasaray discloses his wages and signing premium in the message. In Turkey, however, such an announcement is mandatory. “The player will earn 2.9 million euros net and receive a signing fee of 1.1 million euros,” the Turkish top club said.
In Turkey, there is a salary cap system to prevent clubs from piling up debt and going bankrupt. As a result, clubs must disclose the wages of their players.
Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira – just like Mertens freshly under contract with ‘Gala’ – earns slightly less (2.75 million euros net), but signs a four-year contract. Galatasaray also had to pay him a transfer fee of 6 million euros.
Nine years of Napoli
Mertens left Napoli as the club’s top scorer of all time after nine years. The 105-time international of the Red Devils, who broke through at AGOVV and then played for FC Utrecht and PSV, scored 148 goals for Napoli. Mertens was named an honorary citizen of Naples last week for all his services to the club.
Galatasaray strengthened itself further on Monday with Lucas Torreira. The Uruguayan defensive midfielder comes over from Arsenal and will compete with Norwegian midfielder Fredrik Midtsjø, who until recently played at AZ. Dutch national Patrick van Aanholt also plays football at Galatasaray.
Source: Het Nieuwsblad