It’s always delightful to come across transfer rumours that make you question the coffee you’ve been drinking. The latest whimsical tale emanating from the Turkish press is no different.

• Galatasaray reportedly bid a mere €10 million for Arsenal’s Thomas Partey, a figure that seems laughably low.
• The Gunners signed Partey for a hefty €50 million, raising questions over the validity of the Turkish club’s approach.
• Despite limited interest this summer, it’s improbable Arsenal would part with the Ghanaian star for such a nominal fee.

A recent report from Takvim in Turkey suggests that Galatasaray, the storied Turkish club, have cast their eyes towards Arsenal’s stalwart midfielder, Thomas Partey, with an “astonishing” bid of €10 million.

No, that’s not a typo.

Historically, Turkish clubs have had a penchant for linking themselves with notable footballing names. Whether it’s a marketing tactic or pure footballing aspiration is debatable, but the frequent disconnect between the players they target and the sums they’re willing to offer has often bordered on comedic.

Let’s get some perspective here. Arsenal paid a whopping €50 million for Partey just a few years ago, prizing him away from Atletico Madrid. A crucial player for the Gunners and with a contract running until 2025, one has to ask: why would Arsenal consider letting him go for a mere €10 million to Galatasaray, or even for their apparently “stretched” valuation of €14 million?

According to these reports, Arsenal, despite their considerable spending this season, are “desperate” for cash. If true, selling a player of Partey’s calibre for such a measly sum would be akin to selling Buckingham Palace for the price of an average London flat.

The reports further suggest that talks are ongoing and Galatasaray are trying their level best to “talk down” Arsenal from their valuation. Picturing the scene in the negotiation room does bring a smirk.

One can imagine Galatasaray representatives attempting to convince Arsenal’s board that Partey, despite representing Ghana 45 times and showcasing his undeniable quality in the Premier League, is worth just slightly more than Rob Holding’s current valuation.

Of course, the summer has been relatively quiet regarding interest in Partey, and rumours suggest he might not be the centrepiece of Arteta’s plans. Many fans would like to see him leave for reasons we can’t go in to.

Still, it’s hard to believe that the club would be willing to offload such a talent for what amounts to pocket change in today’s inflated transfer market.

As always, the transfer window brings its share of outlandish stories and audacious bids. And while Galatasaray’s interest in Partey might be genuine, one can’t help but think that the Turkish club is setting themselves up for a bout of wishful thinking.

Here’s a piece of unsolicited advice for the Turkish giants: if you’re keen on landing a big fish, make sure you have the right bait.