Deniz Gul shines at FC Porto, catches clubs' eye before World Cup | OneFootball

With the World Cup on the horizon, FC Porto forward Deniz Gul is establishing himself as one of the team’s most promising figures, drawing interest from European clubs that had already been following him closely. The 2024/25 season began with the Turkish player in a secondary role, but the serious injury to Spaniard Samu in February completely changed the Dragons’ attacking landscape and opened the door for Gul to cement his place once and for all.

Last summer, leading Turkish clubs such as Besiktas and Galatasaray submitted concrete offers to sign the striker, offering him playing time that at the time seemed hard to come by at FC Porto because of Samu’s importance in attack. Even so, Porto’s sporting management stood firm and rejected loans or transfers that could weaken the team’s attacking department.

The arrival of Terem Moffi in the winter transfer window seemed to add another obstacle for Deniz Gul, but the Turkish forward responded with a display of character, overcoming the competition and earning the trust of coach Francesco Farioli. For the first time since joining the club, Gul completed two consecutive matches: against Alverca, in a game that confirmed the national title for FC Porto with two rounds still to play, and against Aves SAD, a match in which he scored the team’s only goal despite the defeat.

These full 90 minutes show a player clearly evolving, more mature and better adapted to the demands of Portuguese football, involved and making a direct impact on the team’s overall play. His progress comes at a decisive moment for FC Porto, which is preparing changes in attack to meet the challenges of the Champions League and the defense of its back-to-back national title.

Deniz Gul, signed from Hammarby for €4.5 million in August 2024 — with the possibility of another €500,000 based on objectives — signed until 2029, with a release clause set at €50 million. The forward, who was still a Sweden under-21 international at the time of the transfer, may now take on an important role in the attacking rotation until Samu returns, or even become a valuable asset on the market if he maintains his upward trajectory and stands out in upcoming international competitions, including the World Cup.

FC Porto therefore faces a very favorable scenario: a young talent gaining prominence, with the potential to be decisive on the pitch and to attract multimillion offers in the near future. Deniz Gul is undoubtedly building a new and ambitious chapter in his career and in the Dragons’ attack, with the ambition of reaching the top of world football.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇵🇹 here.