The past season at Istanbul’s «Fenerbahçe» proved to be a genuine breakthrough for Yusuf Akçiçek. The young centre-back, who only recently turned nineteen, not only secured a place in the starting XI of the «Yellow-Navy Blues» but also attracted attention from Europe’s leading giants. According to Turkish media, Akçiçek’s high-level performances prompted the club’s former coach to step swiftly into the transfer race in order to bring the talent to his own side.
First Offer Came From Marseille
Reliable defensive work, astute reading of the game and composure on the ball did not go unnoticed beyond Turkey. The first to act were representatives of Olympique Marseille: the French club sent Fenerbahçe an official offer worth €15 million. However, the Istanbul board, viewing the player as one of its key investments for the future, deemed the amount insufficient and turned the proposal down.
Interest From the Bundesliga
News outlets soon reported that Germany’s «Stuttgart» and «Eintracht» Frankfurt were preparing to open talks. Both clubs are monitoring the situation closely and, according to insiders, are ready to submit their own official enquiries. Competition for the promising defender is intensifying daily, and the German offers are expected to exceed the rejected French bid.
Vítor Pereira’s Move
A surprising twist came from Vítor Pereira — the coach who knows the highly touted talent well from their time together at Fenerbahçe. Now in charge of England’s Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Portuguese manager is said to have drawn up a detailed short-list for each position. In his three-centre-back system, the left stopper role ranks second in priority — and it is precisely Yusuf Akçiçek whom Pereira wants to fill it.
Fenerbahçe’s Financial Expectations
Recognising the growing demand for their academy graduate, the Istanbul club has set a minimum price: at least €20 million as a straight transfer fee. The «Yellow-Navy Blues» hope that the next round of negotiations will drive the figure higher and allow them to secure maximum profit from selling one of the brightest representatives of Turkey’s new generation of defenders.
Whether Vítor Pereira can persuade the Wolves’ hierarchy to meet Fenerbahçe’s financial demands and outpace competitors from France and Germany will become clear in the coming weeks as the transfer window enters its decisive phase. One fact is already evident: thanks to his impressive displays, Yusuf Akçiçek has transformed in a single season from a rising Süper Lig talent into a coveted target for several clubs in Europe’s top leagues.
