Newsletters
Turkish powerhouse Fenerbahce has reportedly intensified its search for a new forward to replace Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri, whose inconsistent performances have frustrated both the coaching staff and fans, placing Atletico Madrid’s Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth at the top of its transfer list, Turkish media reported.
According to Türkiye daily, coach Domenico Tedesco is said to prefer a striker who can hold the ball, play with his back to goal, and combine physical strength with mobility, and has reportedly informed the management of his interest in Sorloth.
Sorloth, who previously played for Trabzonspor in Türkiye’s Super Lig during the 2019–2020 season and currently represents Atletico Madrid, fits Tedesco’s requirements and is familiar with the Turkish football environment, the report suggested.
The Norwegian scorer currently has a transfer value of €25 million ($28.92 million), according to Transfermarkt, but the Spanish club reportedly values the 28-year-old striker at no less than €30 million for a permanent transfer. Given the high valuation, Fenerbahce is prioritizing a loan deal as its initial approach, the report added.
Transferred to Atletico Madrid at the beginning of the 2024–25 season from fellow Spanish club Villarreal for a €32 million fee, Sorloth has played 67 matches, scoring 26 goals and providing 2 assists.
Sorloth is believed to be open to the move, especially as he has struggled for consistent playing time at Atletico Madrid, featuring in only six starting lineups this season, while the club is reportedly planning a reshuffle in its attacking lineup.
Should Fenerbahce finalize En-Nesyri’s transfer to a club in the Gulf region—with several Saudi and Qatari teams reportedly interested and potential bids reaching up to €40 million—the proceeds are expected to be used for a permanent bid for Sorloth’s transfer rights.
En-Nesyri, who joined Fenerbahce from another Spanish club, Sevilla, during the summer transfer window of the same season that Sorloth made his last move, was signed for a €19.5 million fee and currently holds a transfer value of €24 million. He has played 19 matches, scoring 7 goals and providing 1 assist this season.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce has ruled out the possibility of selling key players Milan Skriniar and Ismail Yuksek during the winter transfer window.
Despite interest from top European clubs—with English and French sides monitoring Yuksek and Italian teams reportedly inquiring about Skriniar—the club remains firm that neither player is for sale.
Recent rumors from Italian outlets have linked Skriniar with Juventus, while French media have suggested that Olympique Marseille is eyeing Yuksek for a potential move.
Club sources, however, have dismissed the likelihood of either transfer taking place this season, the report said.
1 min read
1 min read
