Fenerbahçe’s strategic moves to bolster their squad during the mid-season transfer window are reportedly running into significant resistance, threatening the club’s plans to address key positional weaknesses identified by manager Domenico Tedesco.
The Istanbul giants had prioritized securing top European talent for the left-back position, with Turkish international Ferdi Kadıoğlu topping their wishlist.
Brighton will not be selling Kadıoğlu in January and the defender has no plans to leave the Premier League, sources have told Turkish-Football.
Brighton Holds Firm on Kadıoğlu
The major hurdle for Fenerbahçe is the strong opposition coming directly from the Amex Stadium. Brighton’s head coach, Fabian Hürzeler, one of the youngest managers in Europe at just 32, is reportedly unwilling to sanction any move for the Turkish international. Hürzeler views Kadıoğlu as a vital component of his long-term project, essential for maintaining the squad depth required for a multi-competition campaign. This defensive solidity is a core part of Hürzeler’s philosophy, making a mid-season transfer highly improbable.
Kadıoğlu’s increasing importance to the Seagulls, combined with the length of his existing contract, places Brighton in a dominant negotiating position. The club has no financial pressure to sell, and the manager’s tactical reliance on the player means any bid, unless exceptionally high and disruptive, is likely to be swiftly rejected. For Fenerbahçe, this means they may have to abandon their hopes for a swift January reunion with the Turkish star.
The club must now decide whether to intensify negotiations with a significantly increased offer or pivot to alternative targets on their shortlist to satisfy Tedesco’s urgent need for defensive reinforcements.