Galatasaray ‘to target’ Julio Enciso as Mertens replacement after World Cup breakout | OneFootball

According to Fanatik, Okan Buruk has made Paraguay’s 22-year-old Julio Enciso his preferred replacement for Dries Mertens. Galatasaray have started an initial valuation and feasibility process and are preparing to open preliminary talks with Strasbourg and the player’s representatives once internal audits are complete.

Enciso has powered a shock Paraguayan run at the tournament. Paraguay beat the Türkiye national team in the group stage, where Enciso supplied the decisive assist, then pulled off a major upset by eliminating Germany.

Across four matches he has one goal and two assists, with a round of 16 meeting with France next.

At club level he joined Strasbourg from Brighton & Hove Albion and impressed with 12 goals and nine assists in 41 appearances last season.

He is under contract in France until June 2029 and is valued at around €25 million.

With that long deal, Strasbourg hold the leverage and are likely to seek a premium fee. Galatasaray will hope guaranteed UEFA Champions League football and a starting role behind the strikers can entice Enciso to Istanbul.

Source: Turkish-Football.com