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Benfica said that a preliminary agreement has been reached to transfer Türkiye international Kerem Akturkoglu to Fenerbahce for a guaranteed €22.5 million (over $26.2 million) plus up to €2.5 million in performance-related add-ons, taking the package to €25 million.
The forward’s recent social media steps—removing Galatasaray posts and unfollowing the club—added fuel to fast-growing speculation around the move.
Kerem deleted his Galatasaray-era posts and stopped following the Istanbul club on Instagram, which set off talk that he was on his way. Those actions drew attention across Turkish football circles and pushed the story forward.
In the club’s words, “A preliminary agreement has been reached with Fenerbahce for the transfer of Kerem Akturkoglu. The agreement provides for a fixed fee of €22.5 million and performance-related add-ons, which could take the total value to €25 million.”
Benfica also noted that, because of a priority right, Galatasaray has been informed of the terms—this “priority right” means the former club is formally notified about the proposed deal.
A final, formal announcement on the completed transfer is still expected, even as reporting points to agreement on key numbers.
In the UEFA Champions League playoff second leg at Lisbon’s Estadio da Luz, Kerem scored his team’s goal. After the match, an image shared by Mauro Icardi alongside Kerem drew attention, while Kerem’s absence from a wider Benfica victory photo also became a talking point.
If the transfer goes through, it would be one of the season’s biggest surprises and would weigh on the long-standing rivalry between Fenerbahce and Galatasaray.
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