Football General Manager
- Fenerbahce make double PSG swoop
- Skriniar and Asensio to join camp in Portugal
- Mourinho pushed club to sign the defender
According to A Spor Fenerbahce and PSG have finally agreed a deal that will see Skriniar and Asensio move to Istanbul for a combined transfer value of €20m (£17m/$23m). The Turkish giants were heavily pursuing both players, with Mourinho personally pushing for the permanent signing of the Slovakian defender. The transfer fees will reportedly be paid in instalments.
Fenerbahce snatched Skriniar from under the nose of other Turkish clubs who were looking to sign the defender. The 30-year-old spent half of last season in Istanbul, where he became an integral part of the team under Mourinho’s management, even contributing three goals and one assist in 16 games.
Asensio had a lot of interest from Spain and Italy, with AC Milan, Inter and Villarreal keeping tabs on the midfielder. However, Fenerbahce’s offer of €9m annual wages is the closest to matching his €14m (£12m/$16m) salary from PSG. The ex-Real Madrid player is currently on vacation and will reportedly sign for Fenerbahce in the upcoming days.
The Turkish giants don’t seem to be stopping their spending spree as the Super Lig club also want to sign Bayern Munich winger Kingsley Coman. Head coach Mourinho has given the green light for the club to pursue his signing. Bayern have reportedly put the French winger on their loan list and will listen to offers. However, any loan would come with an option to buy.
Mourinho’s side are leaving no stone unturned in their chase to end the club’s 11-year league trophy drought. Fenerbahce are also the leading contenders in the race to sign midfielder Granit Xhaka, who is expected to leave Bayer Leverkusen in the summer transfer window.
Fenerbahce will continue their pre-season schedule in Portugal, with the Turkish side set to face Portuguese outfit Leiria on July 21. Fans will be eagerly waiting for at least one of the two new signings to join the team by then.
