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Fenerbahce currently has 17 foreign players under contract, while the Turkish Super Lig allows a maximum of 14. To comply with this limit—and make space for incoming transfers—the club must part ways with at least three players.
After another season ending in disappointment, Fenerbahce remains determined to end its title drought. The club believes a stronger squad is essential for success and has once again initiated a major squad overhaul, as it has done in each of the last seven seasons. The goal: attract world-class talent to Kadikoy.
Making room for new signings won’t be easy. Fenerbahce currently has 16 foreign players, with four others out on loan. Contracts for Edin Dzeko, Dusan Tadic, and Allan Saint-Maximin are expiring, which would reduce the number to 17. Including loanees Milan Skriniar, Filip Kostic, and Sofyan Amrabat, the total would drop to 14, just within the limit.
However, upcoming rule changes complicate matters. Next season, the foreign player quota will be 12 + 2, meaning 14 foreign players can be registered, but two of them must be born in 2003 or later. Among Fenerbahce's current squad, only 2004-born Milos Mimovic meets that requirement.
Several key players—including Dominik Livakovic, Sebastian Szymanski, and Youssef En-Nesyri—are reportedly seeking transfers. Returning loanees Miha Zajc, Lincoln, and Omar Fayed are not part of the club's plans.
Players like Carlos, Djiku, and Becao are also outside the scope of the new season’s squad planning. However, their high wages make it difficult to offload them. In some cases, terminating contracts could result in substantial financial losses for the club. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s contract is expiring, but his future remains unclear.
Club President Ali Koc has promised four marquee signings this summer and indicated the number could rise to six. To make this possible, Fenerbahce must part ways with at least four foreign players.
Fenerbahce is preparing to overhaul its forward line, with Dusan Vlahovic at the top of the list. The Serbian striker is reportedly not in Juventus’ long-term plans. While his €15 million annual salary is a hurdle, Fenerbahce is working to lower his demands.
Although Vlahovic prefers a move to one of Europe’s top five leagues, he may consider Türkiye if he does not receive the offers he seeks.
Several unwanted players—most notably Becao, Carlos, Djiku, Zajc, Lincoln, and Fayed—are reluctant to agree to mutual terminations. Without a transfer or loan, unilateral termination would place a financial burden on Fenerbahce.
Fenerbahce approached Juventus to sign Filip Kostic permanently after his loan deal ends, but the Italian club set an asking price of €8 million ($9.09 million).
Fenerbahce, only willing to offer 4 million euros ($4.54 million), has decided not to raise its bid.
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