Fans everywhere ask the same question: Who should Fenerbahce sign to bridge gaps, storm back to the title, and push deep into Europe? In this article, AnnuGoal will guide you through the current squad’s strengths and weaknesses, the club’s rumored targets, tactical needs, and finally propose a few dream—and realistic—signings for Istanbul’s yellow-and-blue faithful.
Current squad strengths and glaring gaps
Before naming names, we must first understand Fenerbahce’s present structure, what’s working, and where reinforcement is most urgent.
What works well
- In goal, the recent capture of Ederson brings top-level experience and shot-stopping security between the sticks.
- The central defense is bolstered by Milan Škriniar and Çağlar Söyüncü, giving Mourinho a solid spine at the back.
- In midfield and attack, marquee names such as Marco Asensio, Edson Álvarez, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, and versatile forward Jhon Durán (on loan) provide creativity, link-up play, and goal threat.
- The squad has balance across age and experience—mixing seasoned pros with younger additions like Abdou Aziz Fall.
But no team is perfect, and Fenerbahce has key structural deficiencies to address if they truly want to challenge domestically and in Europe.
Gaps and vulnerabilities to fix
| Zone | Weakness / Concern | Notes |
| Right flank / fullback | Neither fullback is unassailable | Mert Müldür is serviceable, but injuries or dips in form can expose the right side |
| Left wing / backup | Depth is thin | If Aktürkoğlu or Asensio are off or rotated, alternatives are limited |
| Striker options | Reliance on Durán + backup | En-Nesyri and Cenk Tosun offer options, but a prolific, consistent goal getter is still appealing |
| Defensive midfield cover | Overreliance on core | If Álvarez or Ismail Yüksek are injured, depth is tested |
| Squad depth | Heavy minutes on core group | In European competition, rotation is essential |
With that in mind, the task is to find players whose arrival directly addresses one or more of those weaknesses while fitting Mourinho’s vision and financial constraints.
Criteria for new signings: What Fenerbahce really needs
Not every name floated in rumor mills is realistic or coherent with club strategy. To pick wisely, any new signing should ideally satisfy the following:
- Positional pressing and work rate — Mourinho’s teams demand effort, especially in transitions.
- Adaptability / rotation potential — Someone who can step in, shift roles, or offer tactical flexibility.
- European pedigree or upside — To compete in UEFA competition, experience or high potential is a plus.
- Reasonable age / resale value — A balance between immediate impact and long-term value.
- Wage / transfer prudence — Fenerbahce must avoid bloated salaries or rash overspending.
With those filters, let’s dive into rumored targets and some ideal picks.
Rumored targets and speculative names
Below are names already associated with Fenerbahce, with assessment of their fit and viability.
Kyle Walker & veteran fullback reinforcements
Reports suggest Mourinho is eyeing Kyle Walker to solidify the right-back spot with both experience and attacking ability. At 35, he’s toward the twilight of his career, but his leadership and urgency make him an interesting gamble.
Additionally, rumors point to interest in Leroy Sané on the wings, possibly to add flair and width. However, competition is fierce, and wage demands will be high.
Eredivisie / Ligue 1 wide options
Fenerbahce is linked to Edon Zhegrova and Gabriel Gudmundsson, both.
Striker rumors
Some sources hint at Dusan Vlahovic being considered as a marquee forward reinforcement—a gamble on his scoring pedigree. But his salary demands and adaptation risk make that a high-stakes move.
Realistic and under-the-radar names
- Federico Chiesa: A winger with a pedigree, recovering.
- Jonathan David: A younger forward option with proven scoring instinct in Europe.
- Lloyd Kelly: A defensive option (linked earlier) to bolster backline depth.
Each rumored name comes with caveats—some are too expensive, others are injury risks, and some simply may not want to move to Turkey.
Three signings Fenerbahce should aggressively pursue
Drawing on the squad needs and realistic possibilities, here are three names AnnuGoal thinks Fenerbahce should strongly pursue.
1. A dynamic right-back: younger, attack-minded defender
Instead of relying solely on veterans like Walker, targeting a fullback in their mid-20s who excels in one-on-one defending and overlapping runs would balance the defense and attack. That profile could include rising stars, or the Dutch Eredivisie—players who can challenge Semedo or Müldür in rotation. A dual signing—one established, one future—would be ideal.
2. A reliable, high-output forward
While Jhon Durán is promising, Fenerbahce lacks a consistent goalscorer who can deliver 15–20 goals a season. A striker with European experience—someone who can complement or rotate with Durán—would ease scoring burden and unlock more tactical options.
3. Versatile wing / inverted winger for rotation
To avoid collapses when Asensio or Akturkoğlu are off, the club should secure a creative winger who can drift inside, press, and combine. This player must be adjustably aggressive—able to stretch defenses or cut inside. Ideally under 28 and with good fitness history.
These three additions would cover the most vulnerable spots—right flank, forward line, and depth on wings—without overhauling the core.
Suggested “dream vs pragmatic” targets
Here are name ideas split into two categories: dream (high risk / high reward) and pragmatic (lower risk, more obtainable).
| Role | Dream target | Why / caveats | Pragmatic alternative |
| Right-back | Kyle Walker | Leadership, known quality, but expensive and aging | Younger right-back from mid-tier European league |
| Striker | Dusan Vlahovic | Proven goal scorer but high cost & adaptation risk | Jonathan David or a rising scorer from Ligue 1 / Belgium |
| Wing rotation | Federico Chiesa | Name value, creativity, but injury issues | Edon Zhegrova or alternative in similar mold |
The point is: Who should Fenerbahce sign isn’t one single player—it’s a set of strategic signings balancing ambition and realism.
What to watch in the upcoming transfer window
As windows open and speculation swirls, fans and analysts should keep an eye on:
- The right-back market—if Walker deal steals attention, the club might pivot.
- How aggressively Mourinho pursues a striker—committing early could shift other negotiations.
- The willingness to offload fringe or aging players to free up wages—this breathing room can unlock deals.
- European competition performance—strong showings could attract better players.
- Injury histories and medicals—especially with wingers and forwards, fitness reliability matters.
Conclusion
Who should Fenerbahce sign? In short: a complementary right-back (preferably one experienced, one young), a high-output striker to partner or rotate with Durán, and a rotational winger who can ease pressure on the current starters. These three reinforcements would address key vulnerabilities while preserving the core that already shows quality.
At AnnuGoal, we believe that by targeting those three pillars—defense, attacking depth, and wing rotation—Fenerbahce can reclaim domestic dominance and become a dark horse in European competition. Stay tuned to AnnuGoal for transfer updates, player profiles, and breaking news as rumors solidify into signings.
