As the 2025-26 Süper Lig season approaches, Fenerbahçe are stepping up its pursuit of marquee expertise, and few targets sign ambition such Marco Asensio.
Jose Mourinho’s Turkish giants have been reportedly in superior negotiations to signal the 29-year-old Spanish playmaker from Paris Saint-Germain, a transfer that would reshape the membership’s artistic engine for the approaching marketing campaign.
Asensio, lengthy heralded for his technical aptitude, imaginative and prescient, and knack for long-range objectives, has seen his profession span a number of prime golf equipment.
Born in Palma, Mallorca, he started his rise via his hometown membership earlier than spells at Espanyol and Real Madrid, the place he gained three Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, and etched his title into considered one of Europe’s most storied sides.
Despite these accomplishments, accidents and fluctuating minutes noticed his affect at Madrid diminish, prompting a free switch to PSG in 2023.
His time in Paris was combined, however a productive mortgage spell at Aston Villa through the second half of the 2024-25 season reignited his popularity.
Across all competitions with PSG and Villa, Asensio tallied 10 objectives and 5 assists in 37 appearances, impressing in each home and continental fixtures.
His standout Premier League run with Villa, the place he scored eight instances in 21 matches, reminded European suitors of his enduring worth.
Fenerbahçe’s curiosity intensified in late June.
Under Mourinho and with membership president Ali Koç main negotiations, the Istanbul-based facet made an preliminary mortgage supply, later revised to a everlasting 15 million euro ($17.6 million) proposal.
The deal features a profitable 12 million euro annual wage for Asensio, positioning him among the many Süper Lig’s prime earners.
Yet regardless of this, there are key sticking factors: Asensio is pushing for a four-year contract, whereas Fenerbahçe has provided three, and a 2-2.5 million euro hole in wage calls for stays.
President Koç’s private relationship with PSG’s Nasser Al-Khelaifi has helped facilitate discussions, with PSG reportedly prepared to just accept the supply – particularly with Asensio’s contract expiring in 2026.
Mourinho has additionally personally lobbied the Spaniard, laying out a central position in Fenerbahçe’s tactical plans as they give the impression of being to dominate domestically and compete critically within the Champions League.
Aggressive assault
Fenerbahçe’s curiosity is a part of a broader squad overhaul, with Jhon Duran not too long ago signed and additional reinforcements being sought, together with Milan Skriniar, Kyle Walker, and Wilfred Ndidi.
The concept is to construct a balanced facet able to asserting itself each within the Süper Lig and on the European stage. Asensio, together with his capability to function as a No. 10 or on both wing, would give Mourinho a flexible artistic possibility in his most well-liked 4-2-3-1 formation.
However, Fenerbahçe are usually not alone within the race.
AC Milan have made contact with Asensio’s camp, and the Serie A facet’s Champions League standing and aggressive familiarity give them an edge.
Villarreal have additionally registered curiosity.
While PSG are open to promoting, Asensio has not but dedicated to the Süper Lig, reportedly preferring to stay in considered one of Europe’s prime 5 leagues.
Still, Mourinho’s affect and the monetary bundle on supply maintain Fenerbahçe firmly in competition.
Asensio’s present market worth stands at 20 million euros, and Fenerbahçe’s 15 million euro supply, although barely under that, displays PSG’s willingness to money in earlier than his deal runs down.
The complete funding, contemplating a possible wage bundle over three years, may method 46 million euros, making this one of many membership’s greatest monetary commitments in latest reminiscence.
As of July 8, talks are of their remaining levels, and a call from Asensio is anticipated within the coming days.
Should he settle for the supply, it could be a press release signing that will not solely bolster Mourinho’s squad but additionally rattle the competitors – most notably archrivals Galatasaray, who themselves are reportedly closing in on Victor Osimhen.
Source: www.dailysabah.com