Fenerbahçe to Focus on Škriniar and Asensio as Summer Transfer Priorities

Fenerbahçe have made Milan Škriniar and Marco Asensio their main transfer targets for the coming weeks, while talks for Aston Villa’s Leon Bailey have not advanced.

FENERBAHÇE FOCUSES ON TWO STARS

Fenerbahçe want to sign Milan Škriniar and Marco Asensio this summer, sources have told ESPN, while negotiations for Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey have not developed.

It is understood that Škriniar and Asensio are the club’s top targets for the current transfer window as the Istanbul club aim to add high-profile names to their squad.

Bailey, 27, is seen as an option but sources said he is not close to moving to Fenerbahçe amid ongoing links with a transfer to Turkey.

Fenerbahçe announced the signing of Germany defender Armel Bella-Kotchap for around €40 million ($43m) last week, but their activity in the transfer market is set to continue.

Škriniar, who played on loan at Fenerbahçe from Paris Saint-Germain last season, is seen as a key target. The former Inter Milan defender helped the İstanbul club maintain one of the best defensive records in the Turkish Süper Lig, with just 27 goals conceded.

He made 16 league appearances as Fenerbahçe finished second behind Galatasaray and reached the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds.

Sources said that talks are expected to progress with Škriniar over a permanent move from Paris to İstanbul in the coming days as head coach Jose Mourinho looks to build a team capable of competing domestically and in Europe. Fenerbahçe is negotiating with PSG to sign Milan Škriniar permanently.

THE CURRENT SITUATION?

Mourinho is set to meet with club president Ali Koç in the coming days as Fenerbahçe plot further signings to strengthen their squad.

Trabzonspor, who finished lower last season just six points behind Fenerbahçe, are attempting to reinforce their ranks with the acquisition of free agent Neymar this summer.

Sources have told ESPN that Neymar will meet with club president Tolunay Kafkas over a potential move in the coming days, while Trabzonspor also announced on Sunday that they have signed former Barcelona midfielder Arthur on a free transfer.

Asensio, 30, is out of the picture at PSG and could be another arrival at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium. The Spain international is said to have a close relationship with Mourinho, who is eager to bring him to İstanbul to give his squad cutting-edge quality in the final third. According to a previous report, PSG have reached an agreement with Fenerbahçe for Marco Asensio.

Asensio has struggled to settle in Paris since joining on a free transfer from Real Madrid last summer, with injury problems partly responsible for his spell on the sidelines.

He managed 17 appearances in Ligue 1 last season, scoring five goals and laying on four assists, and is wanted by Fenerbahçe to bolster their attacking options ahead of a busy season that includes a league title challenge and a European campaign.

Villa winger Bailey is seen as an option despite not having previous experience playing in Turkey, but a deal for the Jamaica international has not progressed. Bailey recorded 10 goals and seven assists in 36 appearances in England’s top flight last season but has been linked with an exit from Villa Park.

Both Škriniar and Asensio have been given extended time off in the aftermath of last season due to their international commitments, but Fenerbahçe are expected to escalate negotiations shortly as they close in on new signings.

Fenerbahçe have two weeks to get their squad in place ahead of their UEFA Champions League qualifiers before they begin the Süper Lig season next month against Altay at home. Fenerbahçe’s first match of the season will be in the Champions League qualifiers in July.