It has only been a month since Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho was being linked with the Leeds United job and now, the Special One is set to sign a midfielder on the Leeds shortlist.
Mourinho guided Fenerbahce to second in the SuperLig last season but could do nothing to stop a side in Galatasaray, who boasted stars like Victor Osimhen and Alvaro Morata. He wants major reinforcements.
The Portuguese gaffer is now set to remain after hinting at a possible exit, following two years in Turkey. It comes after Mourinho was linked with Leeds. Richard Keys said Mourinho had turned Leeds down.
Now, Mourinho is set to haunt Leeds for a second time and sign a midfielder that has recently been eyed by Leeds. Reports from Turkey say Fenerbahce are closing in on an initial loan deal for Yves Bissouma.
Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty ImagesJose Mourinho is closing in on Tottenham’s Yves Bissouma
Last week, Ben Jacobs said Leeds were ‘one to watch’ in pursuit of Tottenham’s Bissouma. The Mali skipper helped Spurs win the Europa League against Man United, but his future at Spurs is unclear.
A £25m signing from Brighton in the summer of 2022, Bissouma is about to enter the final year of his contract at Spurs. Leeds, it appear,s are not the only side interested in landing Bissouma this summer.
Turkish newspaper Fanatik report that Mourinho is close to raiding his old side to land Bissouma. Spurs prefer a permanent sale, but Fenerbahce are offering a loan with an obligation, and Spurs are happy.
It is unclear how much Fenerbahce will end up paying for the midfielder, who joins a star-studded midfield of Sofyan Amrabat and Fred among others. Bissouma is also said to be open to joining Fener.
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What Archie Gray has said about Tottenham teammate Bissouma
It might have been a dismal season for Spurs in terms of the Premier League – which has ultimately cost Ange Postecoglou – it was still remarkable season for Gray, not just because they won the Europa League.
Gray clocked up more than 40 appearances for Spurs in his debut season despite only joining as an 18-year-old from Leeds. Gray says a lot of that is down to the “brilliant” Bissouma behind the Spurs scenes.
But any chance of landing Bissouma this summer – even though he initially was reported as wanting to stay in the Premier League – seems to be over as the lure of Mourinho strikes, taking him to Fenerbahce.