José Mourinho has firmly ruled out the possibility of Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri leaving Fenerbahçe this summer, making it clear to both the player and the club’s board that he remains central to his plans.
Despite growing interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia and the English Premier League, Mourinho has intervened personally to convince the 27-year-old forward to remain at the Turkish side.
Reports from Turkish media indicate that a meeting between Mourinho, En-Nesyri, and senior club officials resulted in a unified decision to retain the Moroccan international for the upcoming campaign.
En-Nesyri had reportedly been considering a departure from Istanbul in search of a new challenge, but the intervention of the Portuguese manager has effectively put an end to those ambitions — at least for now.
Although the striker endured a turbulent relationship with sections of the Fenerbahçe fanbase throughout the season, his goal-scoring record remains among the most impressive in the league.
En-Nesyri found the net 30 times in 52 appearances across all competitions, finishing as the club’s top scorer and ranking third overall in the Süper Lig’s scoring charts.
His output did not go unnoticed, with clubs such as Al-Nassr and Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia, as well as English sides West Ham United and Aston Villa, expressing concrete interest in acquiring his services during the current transfer window.
However, Mourinho has made it clear that En-Nesyri’s departure would severely weaken the squad’s title ambitions.
Galatasaray were crowned champions last season, and Mourinho has made it a priority to build a team capable of dethroning them.
The Portuguese coach, who took the helm at Fenerbahçe with high expectations, views En-Nesyri as a cornerstone in his plans to mount a serious challenge for both domestic and continental success.
“Youssef is crucial to our system and the identity we want to build,” Mourinho reportedly told club executives. His message was unequivocal: En-Nesyri must stay.
The striker, who joined Fenerbahçe after a successful spell in Spain with Sevilla, has become a pivotal figure in the team’s attack.
Despite public criticism during patches of inconsistency, his overall impact on the pitch — especially his goal-scoring instincts and aerial presence — have made him a valuable asset for the Istanbul-based side.
With Mourinho’s backing, En-Nesyri is now expected to lead Fenerbahçe’s frontline once again as they aim to close the gap on their rivals and return to the summit of Turkish football.
His commitment to remain at the club, despite lucrative offers elsewhere, signals a show of unity between player and manager.
While transfer rumours may continue to swirl, Mourinho’s stance appears to have settled the matter for now. Unless a dramatic shift occurs, Youssef En-Nesyri will remain in yellow and navy next season, with his sights firmly set on delivering silverware for Fenerbahçe.
