Jose Mourinho is ‘very close to signing former Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin’ for new club Fenerbahce – as 27-year-old could leave Saudi Arabia after just ONE season
- Jose Mourinho reportedly close to signing Saint-Maximin for Fenerbahce
- The former Newcastle star would be his fourth signing of a busy first summer
- Listen to It’s all about to begin! EUROS DAILY: Why we should trust England’s referee against the Netherlands despite his match-fixing conviction
Jose Mourinho is reportedly set to bring former Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin to Fenerbahce.
Saudi club Al-Ahli, where he signed last summer, have given the Frenchman permission to talk to the Turkish giants.
The 27-year-old winger left Newcastle after four seasons for a fee of £30million in July last year, signing a three-year contract with the Saudi club.
However, according to a Turkish journalist, Fenerbahce are now ‘very close’ to a deal to sign him. Yagiz Sabuncuoglu.
Mourinho has been tasked with returning the Turkish Super Lig title to Fenerbahce for the first time since 2013-14 after a heartbreaking title battle.
Fenerbahce are ‘very close’ to signing former Newcastle star Allan Saint-Maximin
Jose Mourinho has strengthened his squad after joining the Turkish giants last month
The Istanbul club collected 99 points, winning 31 and losing only one of their 38 league games, but lost to arch-rivals Galatasaray.
They even beat Galatasaray 1-0 in their penultimate match and won 6-0 against Istanbulspor on the final day, but their efforts were in vain.
Mourinho drew tens of thousands of fans to his unveiling at Fenerbahce’s Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in June, hopefully ushering in a new era of glory.
After being sacked by Roma in January, the Portuguese manager received a warm welcome and gave an impassioned speech.
He held up a Fenerbahce shirt and declared: ‘This shirt is now my skin. Your dreams are now my dreams’.
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager has been quick to strengthen his squad for the new season.
Fenerbahce have already signed former Leicester defender Caglar Soyuncu, AC Milan midfielder Rade Krunic and Turkish defender Levent Mercan.
Mourinho has had a mixed start to preparations for the new season.
Saint-Maximin, 27, could leave Saudi Arabia after just one season after leaving Newcastle last summer
Mourinho was officially confirmed as the new manager of Turkish giants Fenerbahce in June
Mourinho held up the Fenerbahce shirt and declared: ‘This shirt is now my skin’
His unveiling took place in front of thousands of fans at Fenerbahçe’s home stadium
So far he has won one and drawn one from his pre-season friendlies against smaller clubs
In their first match, Fenerbahce defeated Romania’s Petrolul 2-1 in a friendly before drawing 1-1 with Austrian club Admira, coming from behind in both games.
Saint-Maximin scored four goals and provided ten assists for Al Ahli last season, helping the club finish third on their return to the Saudi Pro League.
The wealthy club also boasts Roberto Firmino, Riyad Mahrez and Edouard Mendy.