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Fenerbahce has reportedly moved to clarify the future of goalkeeper Ederson, calling his agent to Istanbul after a decisive late error in a 2-2 draw against Caykur Rizespor dealt a blow to its title push to end an 11-year drought.
Reports indicate the 32-year-old has grown increasingly unsettled, partly due to criticism from fans on social media targeting his family over his inconsistent performances since the start of the season, a strain that appears to have nudged him closer to considering a departure.
The management is not inclined to delay a decision until after the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Instead, the club aims to settle the situation well before the tournament, Turkish daily Sabah reported.
Fenerbahce signed the Brazilian from Manchester City for €11 million ($13 million) at the start of the season, matching that figure with his annual salary.
Ederson has featured in 34 official matches this season, conceding 33 goals while keeping 13 clean sheets. However, he has drawn criticism from fans for mistakes in crucial matches and inconsistent performances.
Ederson remains under contract until 2028, yet a potential split is already being weighed. If he departs, Fenerbahce is expected to pivot toward a younger goalkeeper, targeting a profile in the 24–25 age range, the report added.
On Friday, Fenerbahce hosted the Black Sea club Caykur Rizespor at the Chobani Stadium and managed to come back from 1-0 to 2-1 towards the end of the match.
A controversial free kick deep into stoppage time set up Rizespor’s late equalizer after a foul was given in a duel involving Oguz Aydin and goalkeeper Fofana. From the resulting delivery, Ederson misjudged his move off the line, allowing Sagnan to head in for 2-2 in the 90+8th minute.
The dropped points widened the gap with league leader Galatasaray to four after the Istanbul side secured an away win over Genclerbirligi on Saturday, tightening pressure as the season enters its final stretch.
Following the match, Fenerbahce players and fans were deeply disappointed, with head coach Domenico Tedesco sitting alone on the bench for a while after the players returned to the dressing room.
"Of course it’s not easy. Falling down is one thing, getting back up is another," Tedesco said after the match. "This is a difficult moment for all of us. Today we are disappointed, and I will feel the same tomorrow, but we have to keep moving forward."
However, he remained focused on recovery, noting, "We took the lead, but conceded with 20 seconds left in the match. I’m down today, but starting tomorrow I will do everything I can to stay positive. There is still a path ahead of us, and that path remains positive."
Club president Sadettin Saran also revealed the emotional impact inside the squad, describing a dressing room weighed down by disappointment.
"Our players were deeply upset last night," Saran noted during a club meeting, adding that the goalkeeper took full responsibility in a team message. "He told his teammates, ‘It’s all on me, I apologize to all of you.’"
Fenerbahce is set to take on its archrival Galatasaray away on Sunday, April 26, in a high-stakes derby that may shape the outcome of the title race.
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