Galatasaray has brought in several household names, with former Crystal Palace star Zaha joining on a free transfer, while Ziyech and Tanguy Ndombele have signed on loan deals from Chelsea and Tottenham respectively.
Reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray spent 30 million euros this summer, down on the 43 million of the same window last year.However, the payment of high salaries -- more than 90 million euros for the coming season just for Gala and arch rivals Fenerbahce -- risks plunging debt-ridden clubs into financial crises.
"There were a lot of recruits who were at the end of their contracts, like Icardi, who were cheap... but the salaries of these players are much higher than the clubs' income," Turkish sports journalist Alp Ulagay told AFP. Only European competitions could help Turkish clubs make back their cash, but Galatasaray will be the sole Super Lig team in this season's Champions League.