Bright Osayi-Samuel and Fenerbahçe have re-entered negotiations after months of tension over the Nigerian player’s contractual future at the Turkish club.
The 26-year-old full-back had previously signalled his intention to run down his current deal, which expires in June 2025, rather than commit to a new agreement.
His stance came after a failed attempt to leave the club during the last winter transfer window, a move that frustrated club management and resulted in a brief exclusion from the first-team setup.
Despite the initial fallout, head coach José Mourinho reinstated Osayi-Samuel into the squad due to the team’s urgent need for defensive reinforcements.
That decision marked a turning point in the strained relationship between the player and the club’s hierarchy, prompting renewed optimism that a compromise might yet be reached.
Sources within the Turkish media suggest that discussions between Osayi-Samuel’s representatives and Fenerbahçe officials have resumed this week, with the aim of resolving the contract impasse.
Financial disagreements have been at the heart of the standoff, with Osayi-Samuel reportedly requesting an annual salary of €2.5 million to sign an extension — a figure the club had been unwilling to meet, having capped their offer at €2 million.
However, Fenerbahçe now appear prepared to revisit those terms in a bid to retain a player who has become a key component of the squad.
With Mourinho keen on maintaining squad stability heading into the next campaign, there is a growing willingness from the club to adjust their offer in order to avoid losing the Nigerian international for free next summer.
Osayi-Samuel’s current situation had sparked speculation over his future, particularly after his initial exclusion.
His importance to Mourinho’s plans, though, has helped shift the club’s approach, suggesting that both sides are moving toward a more constructive dialogue.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial. While no final agreement has yet been reached, insiders believe meaningful progress is possible if both parties show flexibility.
Fenerbahçe are keen to avoid a repeat of past scenarios where key players have departed at the end of their contracts without generating any transfer income — something the club sees as avoidable with proactive negotiation.
For Osayi-Samuel, the next step could shape the most pivotal stage of his career. Remaining in Istanbul would mean continued exposure at one of Turkey’s biggest clubs, under the guidance of a globally recognised coach.
But if talks collapse, the club will be forced to consider alternative options — either selling him in the summer or risking his departure on a free in 2025.
As negotiations intensify, both sides remain tight-lipped about the specifics of the renewed talks. Still, the resumption of discussions suggests a potential thaw in relations that could benefit all parties — Fenerbahçe, the player, and any prospective suitors watching closely from afar.
