Franjo Ivanovic transfer negotiations

After missing Croatia’s World Cup squad, 22‑year‑old striker Franjo Ivanović was linked with a move away from Benfica in late June 2026, with Serie A side Como opening talks while interest from Turkey grew.

By late July, Galatasaray shifted from general interest to a concrete loan proposal, offering a one‑year loan with an option to buy and a €12 million fixed fee plus €3 million in bonuses. The deal is intended to reinforce the Turkish side after Mauro Icardi’s departure and to provide an alternative to Victor Osimhen.

On 25 July 2026 Galatasaray prepared the formal loan offer. Ivanović, who arrived at Benfica a year earlier from Union Saint‑Gilloise for €22.8 million and is under contract until 2030, is seen as a replacement for Osimhen and as competition for striker places at Benfica, where Colombian forward Jhon Durán has recently arrived. Contacts between the clubs have intensified, though neither side has issued an official statement. The proposal also reflects the Turkish Football Federation’s 10+4 foreign‑player rule, prompting clubs to adapt their recruitment strategies.

If the arrangement materialises, Ivanović will move to Istanbul, while Benfica has indicated a preference for a permanent sale or a mandatory‑purchase loan.