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With less than a week before the start of the new Turkish Super Lig season, Fenerbahce is yet to resolve the futures of 11 players deemed surplus to requirements by head coach Jose Mourinho.
Despite focusing heavily on incoming transfers, the club has been slow to finalize exits for several squad members, many of whom were not included in the pre-season camp in Portugal.
Mijo Zajc, Lincoln and Fayed were excluded from the team’s summer training camp and are top of the list for departures. The club is also open to offers for Livakovic, Rodrigo Becao, Mimovic, Djiku, Amrabat, Carlos and En-Nesyri.
The only Turkish player on the list is Emre Mor, who is also expected to leave. Most of the players reportedly have suitors, but financial demands have delayed progress. Clubs and Fenerbahce have agreed on fees in some cases, but players’ high salaries have become a stumbling block.
Fenerbahce may freeze Becao’s contract due to his injury status.
Fenerbahce is reportedly accelerating negotiations, especially for players not needed in UEFA competition. Mourinho has asked the board to hold off on selling En-Nesyri, Amrabat and Djiku until after the crucial Feyenoord play-off tie.
The management aims to complete other exits swiftly to streamline the squad before the Süper Lig opener.
Club president Ali Koc is personally involved in talks for national team regulars. Fenerbahce are trying to lower Benfica’s €30 million asking price for Kerem Akturkoglu. The player has told the club he is willing to join if a deal is reached.
Meanwhile, the club has reopened discussions with Inter Milan for Hakan Calhanoglu.
Cengiz Under, one of the most active players in Portugal camp, was left out of the UEFA squad list. Mourinho is believed to have given a “transferable” report on the winger.
The decision shocked teammates and coaching staff, while Under is said to be deeply disappointed.
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