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Fenerbahce midfielder Sebastian Szymanski’s agent, Mariusz Piekarski, said the Turkish club rejected approaches from European teams during the summer transfer window, stressing that then-coach Jose Mourinho considered the Polish international untouchable.
Piekarski, who represents the 26-year-old player, told Poland’s Kanal Sportowy that an offer from a leading club in one of Europe’s "big five" leagues was immediately turned down.
According to Piekarski, Fenerbahce informed the suitor that Szymanski was not for sale, ending talks before they could progress.
Piekarski told Polish news outlet Kanal Sportowy that the club emphasized Szymanski’s importance to Mourinho ahead of the UEFA Champions League play-off against Feyenoord.
He said officials made clear that the midfielder would not be transferred "even if dozens of millions of euros were offered."
He added that Mourinho himself vetoed potential negotiations, seeing Szymanski as a central figure in his plans.
"Szymanski became a victim of his own success, because Mourinho considered him indispensable to the team," Piekarski said.
The agent also noted that after Mourinho’s departure, the European transfer window remained open for only three more days.
Discussions were held with an English club that had qualified for the Champions League, but the move was dependent on another player leaving. When that transfer did not materialize, the opportunity collapsed.
Rather than rushing into alternative deals, Piekarski said they preferred to make a measured decision, which ultimately left Szymanski in Istanbul.
Szymanski, who joined Fenerbahce in 2023, has made 11 appearances across all competitions this season, contributing one goal and two assists.
He is under contract with the club until 2027 and has a current market value of €15 million ($16.2 million).
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