Fenerbahçe have reinforced their attacking line with the loan signing of Colombian forward Jhon Durán from Saudi side Al-Nassr while sticking to the Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri.
Durán, 21, joins on a season-long deal with an option to buy, in a move aimed at bolstering José Mourinho’s forward options rather than replacing En-Nesyri.
Despite attracting significant interest from clubs in the Gulf, En-Nesyri remains central to Fenerbahçe’s plans following a prolific 30-goal season, according to TRT Spor. The club are understood to have no intention of selling the 28-year-old unless an “astronomical” offer lands on the desk.
Signed for a club-record €19.5m, En-Nesyri is under contract until 2029 and is seen as essential to Mourinho’s side despite criticism earlier and towards the end of the season after an extended goal drought and some lacklustre performances.
According to transfer guru Fabricio Romano, Durán arrives in Istanbul just months after his high-profile €77m move from Aston Villa to Al-Nassr. While the striker showed promise in the Saudi Pro League with eight goals in 13 appearances, he struggled to fully settle.
Fenerbahçe have paid a reported €7m loan fee, with Durán expected to earn €15m over the course of the season. The Turkish club also hold an option to make the transfer permanent until 2030.
The signing offers Mourinho tactical variety, allowing the Portuguese coach to rotate between the two strikers or partner them both in a two-forward game plan.
Fenerbahçe fans will hope the new partnership helps deliver the silverware that has eluded them in recent seasons.
Fenerbahçe last won the Turkish Süper Lig title in the 2013–14 season. It’s been over a decade since they lifted the league trophy – something the club, and José Mourinho in particular, will be desperate to put right.
