Premier League: Turkish Airlines in talks to become shirt sponsor of Chelsea in 2015-16

"A meeting between the authorities of Turkish Airlines and Chelsea FC (Barclays Premier League) has been held in Turkey, for the introduction of both companies. Both parties have negotiated on that issue [of shirt sponsorship] and are still continuing their contact," said Ali Genc, vice president in charge of Media Relations for the airline, to News Tank on 29/09/2014.

Turkish Airlines could replace the Korean group Samsung on the London club's shirt from the 2015-16 season. The electronics manufacturer pays €21m in 2014-15 to be present on the Chelsea shirt. The amount of the agreement with Turkish company could be €23 million annuallly, according to several British media outlets.

Turkish Airlines, sponsor of Borussia Dortmund and FC Cologne (Bundesliga), is present on the back of the shirt of Olympique de Marseille (Ligue 1) in 2014-15.

The airline aims to carry over 100 million passengers per year by 2021. Turkish Airlines, whose turnover was €6.8bn in 2012, has 230 aircraft and wants to own a fleet 436 aircraft by 2021.