The Turkish Süper Lig makes headline-grabbing moves almost every off-season, yet the news of Abbosbek Fayzullaev’s switch from Moscow’s CSKA to Istanbul Başakşehir returned the league to the spotlight in style. The young Uzbekistan international midfielder outstripped not only his new teammates but most of the league’s stars by market value, immediately claiming the title of the “orange-blue” side’s most expensive footballer.
Record Fee for the Club and a Serious Signal to the League
For a guaranteed 7.5 million € plus up to 2.5 million € in bonuses, Başakşehir pulled off one of the most impressive transfers in its history. With the entire squad valued at 63 million € (Transfermarkt data), Fayzullaev—priced at 8 million €—jumped straight to the top of the club’s internal ranking, surpassing previous imports from Europe and South America.
Why Fayzullaev Is Rated So Highly
The player’s main trump card is versatility. At CSKA he operated confidently along the entire left flank, stepping in as an inside forward, winger, and even a classic No. 10. With an average top speed of 34 km/h and innate dribbling technique, he creates numerical superiority in almost every attack. Coaches also highlight his off-the-ball work rate—his defensive actions are comparable with the top box-to-box midfielders in the RPL.
Internal Competition: Shomurodov as a Catalyst for Growth
Interestingly, the closest name on the club’s valuation list is another Uzbek—striker Eldor Shomurodov, priced at 5 million €. The simultaneous arrival of two high-valued Uzbek players raises intrigue: who will be the face of the attack? Eldor supplies physical presence at the tip, while Fayzullaev adds creativity around the box. The synergy of the two leaders promises to reshape the usual balance of power up front.
Başakşehir’s Prospects and the Süper Lig Impact
With Fayzullaev’s arrival the team has strengthened not only the left corridor but also gained a marketing lever: a growing Central Asian audience, new sponsorship deals, and potentially record merchandise sales. For the Süper Lig the deal is a marker: Turkish heavyweights are ready to invest in young talent from CIS countries while Western European giants focus on marquee names.
Fayzullaev is only 21, and his lightning-fast elevation to key-asset status shows how quickly an investment in youth and versatility can pay off. All that remains is to justify the price tag with consistent performances—and the new “joker” from Tashkent could become the true leader of the Istanbul outfit.
