The Right of First Refusal in Football Transfers: Legal Framework in Light of Kerem Aktürkoğlu’s Transfer from Benfica to Fenerbahçe - By Emin OZKURT

Introduction

The summer transfer of Turkish international Kerem Aktürkoğlu from SL Benfica to Fenerbahçe SK has drawn attention not only for sporting reasons but also for its legal intricacies. After protracted negotiations, Fenerbahçe finalized the signing of Aktürkoğlu, a move widely celebrated by their supporters. However, it soon emerged that Galatasaray SK - Aktürkoğlu’s former club - held a contractual right of first refusal arising from the player’s earlier transfer to Benfica. In essence, Galatasaray had negotiated the option to match any accepted offer for Aktürkoğlu if Benfica decided to transfer him to a third club. This contractual wrinkle meant that, despite the agreement between Benfica and Fenerbahçe on transfer terms, Fenerbahçe had to await Galatasaray’s position on the deal. The...

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