Jose Mourinho is reportedly on the verge of signing former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin for Fenerbahce, according to sources. The 27-year-old French player joined Al-Ahli last summer for £30 million and signed a three-year contract, but Fenerbahce are now in advanced talks to secure his services. This move would mark Mourinho’s fourth signing since taking over as manager of the Turkish club, following the acquisitions of Caglar Soyuncu, Rade Krunic, and Levent Mercan.
Mourinho’s appointment at Fenerbahce was met with great enthusiasm, with tens of thousands of fans attending his unveiling at the club’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium. The renowned manager, who has previously managed top European clubs such as Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham, expressed his dedication to the club by stating, “This shirt is now my skin. Your dreams are now my dreams.”
Fenerbahce are determined to reclaim the Turkish Super Lig title, which they last won in the 2013-14 season. Despite an impressive campaign in which they amassed 99 points and lost only one game, they narrowly missed out on the title to rivals Galatasaray last season. Mourinho is wasting no time in strengthening the squad, and Saint-Maximin, who contributed four goals and ten assists for Al-Ahli last season, could be a valuable addition to their attacking options.
Al-Ahli, owned by the Saudi Arabian club, also boasts a star-studded roster that includes the likes of Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, and Edouard Mendy. Saint-Maximin’s potential departure after just one season in Saudi Arabia demonstrates the allure of joining a club with the stature and ambition of Fenerbahce under Mourinho’s leadership.
Mourinho’s impact at Fenerbahce is already being felt, with the club winning one and drawing one of their pre-season friendlies against lower-tier opposition. As Mourinho shapes his squad for the upcoming season, it remains to be seen whether Saint-Maximin will be the next piece in the puzzle as Fenerbahce aim to challenge for domestic and potential European glory.
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Jose Mourinho is reportedly close to securing the services of Allan Saint-Maximin, formerly of Newcastle, for his new club Fenerbahce. This potential signing would be the fourth addition to Mourinho’s squad ahead of the upcoming season.
According to reports, the French winger has been granted permission by his current club, Al-Ahli of Saudi Arabia, to enter into discussions with the Turkish giants. Saint-Maximin joined Al-Ahli last summer in a £30million transfer from Newcastle, where he had spent four seasons.
Fenerbahce are “very close” to finalizing a deal for the 27-year-old, according to Turkish journalist Yagız Sabuncuoglu. This news comes as Mourinho aims to strengthen his squad in preparation for the new season, with the primary objective of reclaiming the Turkish Super Lig title, which has eluded the club since the 2013-14 campaign.
Fenerbahce are on the brink of signing former Newcastle winger Allan Saint-Maximin
Jose Mourinho has been busy bolstering his squad since joining Fenerbahce
The Istanbul-based club experienced a heartbreaking end to the previous season, accumulating 99 points and losing only one game out of 38, yet still finishing second to their bitter rivals, Galatasaray. Despite beating Galatasaray 1-0 in their penultimate match and thrashing Istanbulspor 6-0 on the final day, Fenerbahce fell just short of the title.
Mourinho’s arrival at Fenerbahce has generated a lot of excitement among the club’s supporters, as evidenced by the tens of thousands of fans who attended his unveiling at the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in June. The renowned manager, who has managed several top European clubs, expressed his commitment to Fenerbahce by declaring, “This shirt is now my skin. Your dreams are now my dreams.”
Mourinho has already made significant additions to the squad, including former Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu, AC Milan midfielder Rade Krunic, and Turkish full-back Levent Mercan. The Portuguese manager is known for his tactical prowess and his ability to build strong teams, and he will be eager to replicate his past successes with Fenerbahce.
Saint-Maximin, who joined Al-Ahli last summer, could be on the move again
Mourinho was officially appointed as the new manager of Fenerbahce in June
Mourinho held up the Fenerbahce jersey and proclaimed his commitment to the club
Mourinho’s unveiling took place in front of a packed crowd at Fenerbahce’s home stadium
Mourinho has overseen one win and one draw in pre-season friendlies against smaller clubs
Mourinho has already overseen two pre-season friendlies, with Fenerbahce coming from behind to beat Romanian side Petrolul 2-1 and then drawing 1-1 with Austrian club Admira. These initial matches have provided a positive start to Mourinho’s tenure, as he looks to implement his tactical ideas and build a cohesive unit.
Saint-Maximin, who scored four goals and provided ten assists for Al-Ahli last season, could be a valuable addition to Fenerbahce’s attacking options. The Saudi Arabian club, which boasts a star-studded roster that includes the likes of Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez, and Edouard Mendy, finished third in the Saudi Pro League last season.
The potential departure of Saint-Maximin after just one season in Saudi Arabia underscores the allure of joining a club with the stature and ambition of Fenerbahce, particularly under the guidance of a manager of Mourinho’s caliber. As Mourinho continues to shape his squad, it remains to be seen what other additions he will make to the team ahead of the upcoming season.
