Fenerbahce deny €100m Rafael Leao bid and move for Ermedin Demirovic in transfer statement

Fenerbahce have issued a formal statement rejecting reports that they have made a €100m move for AC Milan forward Rafael Leao or opened talks to sign Stuttgart striker Ermedin Demirovic.

In recent hours, Turkish media had linked the Istanbul club with an ambitious bid for Milan’s Portuguese winger, as well as interest in Bosnia and Herzegovina international Demirovic.

Fenerbahce moved quickly to dismiss both stories, insisting no approach had been made for either player and stressing that transfer rumours would not distract them from their Champions League qualifying campaign.

Club statement rejects transfer speculation

In a strongly worded announcement, the club said: “The news reports published today regarding our club’s interest in Ermedin Demirovic, a Stuttgart player, are baseless. Fenerbahce have made no attempt to sign the aforementioned player.

“Similarly, the claims that we have made an offer of approximately €100m for Rafael Leao, including transfer fee and salary, are also untrue. No such offer has been made to the player or his club.

“Our full focus is on the second leg against Gornik Zabrze in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, and on progressing to the next round.

“During this period, we kindly ask our esteemed fans to ignore speculative news reports that attempt to distract us from our objective by presenting transfer attempts that have not taken place as if they were real, or by focusing on players who are not in our plans.

“We present this information to the public with all due respect.”

The statement underlines Fenerbahce’s concern that ongoing speculation over high‐profile transfers could unsettle preparations ahead of a pivotal week in their season.

Champions League focus after first-leg advantage

Fenerbahce hold a narrow advantage in their Champions League campaign after a 1-0 victory over Gornik Zabrze in the first leg of the second qualifying round.

The Turkish side will host the return fixture on Wednesday, looking to protect their lead and secure a place in the next phase of qualifying.

Should they progress, Fenerbahce will face the winners of the tie between Sturm Graz of Austria and Scottish club Hearts in the following round.

The club are aiming to come through the qualifying stages and reach the Champions League group phase for the first time since the 2008-09 season, a return that would mark a significant milestone in their recent history.

Summer transfer business so far

While distancing themselves from links to Leao and Demirovic, Fenerbahce confirmed their summer recruitment is already well under way.

Mason Greenwood, Sadiki Serif, Vedat Muriqi and Nathan Ake have all joined the “Canaries” so far in the current transfer window, strengthening the squad in several key areas.

Emre Mor has departed the club during the same period, as Fenerbahce reshape their options ahead of a season in which they hope to combine domestic ambitions with a successful push in Europe.

The club’s latest communication makes clear that, despite rumours involving some of Europe’s most sought-after forwards, their immediate priority remains on‐field progress in Champions League qualifying rather than headline-grabbing transfers.