Turkey's biggest clubs lured established stars including Mauro Icardi, Hakim Ziyech and Wilfried Zaha to the Super Lig in the transfer window with a spending spree that leaves them slipping further into the red.
Many eyes have been on Saudi clubs' remarkable transfer outlays which have rivalled those of the top European sides, but Turkish teams have been signing big names under the radar.
Fenerbahce, Galatasaray, Besiktas and Trabzonspor, the four biggest Super Lig clubs, spent almost 120 million euros ($128 million) between them during the summer window, which ended on Friday evening in Turkey, while only receiving less than 80 million euros in fees.
"It was a fiercely contested transfer window," said Galatasaray Vice-President Erden Timur earlier in September.
Timur said Turkish clubs were forced to change tack due to inflated fees caused by the Saudi clubs' sudden emergence.
"The average price (for players) multiplied by two or even two and a half, so we had to change strategy," he added.
"We had a spending limit and had to turn to free agents." 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.
Argentine striker Icardi was snapped up from Paris Saint-Germain for just 10 million euros after a successful loan spell last season, as defender Davinson Sanchez was signed for 9.5 million euros from Spurs. Fenerbahce signed Cengiz Under from Marseille and Brazil midfielder Fred from Manchester United.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Eric Bailly have arrived at Besiktas on free transfers from Liverpool and Manchester United respectively, while Trabzonspor took on Nicolas Pepe when his Arsenal deal ran out.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Eric Bailly have arrived at Besiktas on free transfers from Liverpool and Manchester United respectively, while Trabzonspor took on Nicolas Pepe when his Arsenal deal ran out.