Transfer Centre

Jose Mourinho 'wants unwanted Chelsea man as first Fenerbahce signing'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 03 June 2024

New Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho is seemingly keen to make an unwanted Chelsea player one of his first signings at the Turkish giants.

Jose Mourinho seemingly has ambitions to sign an unwanted Chelsea player for Fenerbahce during the summer transfer window.

Having been sacked as Roma boss in January, Mourinho has bided his time before taking on a new position.

On Sunday, it was confirmed that he had signed a two-year contract to become the new boss of Fenerbahce, tasked with winning the Super Lig title after this season's narrow miss to Galatasaray.

In terms of the players already at his disposal, the 61-year-old is blessed with a wide array of notable names, including the likes of Fred and Edin Dzeko.

However, given the reputation of the legendary Portuguese, it is realistic to expect some higher-profile figures may be prepared to make the switch to the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium.

Former Roma head coach Jose Mourinho on May 31, 2023 © Reuters

Fenerbahce presidential elections key to signings

As it stands, Mourinho is not in a position where he can be proactive in his bid to acquire fresh faces courtesy of the presidential elections at Fenerbahce.

Current incumbent Ali Koc is facing a fight to retain hold of his position, with rival Aziz Yildirim seemingly eager to state his case by holding discussions with Mourinho.

Speaking at a press conference, Yildirim has not been shy with revealing who Fenerbahce may look to target should he be elected, including Chelsea forward Romelu Lukaku.

Furthermore, Yildirim suggested to the media that Fenerbahce only went and appointed Mourinho because it was his suggestion.

Yildirim said: "If I had not said Jose Mourinho, would they have gone and agreed? They do what I say.

"I also mentioned the players. We said Lukaku. We said [Paulo] Dybala and [Anderson] Talisca. We keep the rest for ourselves. I'll tell you after I am elected."

Roma's Romelu Lukaku celebrates scoring their first goal on December 14, 2023 © Reuters

Are any of the signings realistic?

While Chelsea are interested in parting ways with Lukaku, it has been widely reported they are only prepared to accept offers of £38m.

Although Fenerbahce have the opportunity to qualify for the Champions League main stages in 2024-25, it appears unlikely they would be prepared to meet such demands, even with Mourinho no stranger to Lukaku from his time at Manchester United and Roma.

Signing Dybala may be more achievable, with the Argentina international having just one year left on his contract at Roma and due to Mourinho having made him a key man at Stadio Olimpico.

Since 2018, Talisca has plied his trade in China and Saudi Arabia, but the Brazilian forward did score 37 goals from 80 appearances for fellow Turkish giants Besiktas before the switch to Asia.

The 30-year-old Al-Nassr attacker has two years left on his contract.