Fenerbahçe SK made a €25 million transfer offer for Feyenoord star striker Ayase Ueda in September 2026. The bid was rejected after the 28-year-old Japanese forward chose to continue his career with Lille in Ligue 1 instead.
Feyenoord's Sporting Director Teun van Rigo confirmed the offer from the Turkish club in a statement to Fotomac. Van Rigo said, "We would have liked to help Ayase's transfer to Fenerbahçe. We had received an offer of 25 million euros." This revelation shows the serious intent behind Fenerbahçe's move in the transfer market. Ueda had attracted significant attention after scoring 25 goals in the Eredivisie last season.
Why did Ueda turn down Fenerbahçe?
Ayase Ueda's preferred destination was the Premier League. Teun van Rigo explained, "After the World Cup, Ayase came to me and said he was ready for a new challenge in one of the top five leagues." When no concrete agreement materialized from England, the striker's focus shifted to France. Lille entered the pursuit later but was ultimately seen as a better fit for Ueda's career plans. This decision highlights the competitive challenge Fenerbahçe faces in attracting top talent against clubs from Europe's elite leagues.
What is Fenerbahçe's current league standing?
This transfer development comes amid Fenerbahçe's start to the 2026-27 season. The team currently sits in 9th place in the Süper Lig. With two wins and two losses from four matches, the Yellow-Blues have collected 6 points. Their recent form reads LWWL, having scored 8 goals and conceded 6 for a +2 goal difference. They trail league leaders Galatasaray by 4 points. This situation accentuates the need to bolster the attacking line with a new star. Current squad and league standings data play a key role in the technical team's planning.
How does the failed bid affect the budget?
The €25 million budget allocated for Ueda was a significant figure that demonstrated Fenerbahçe's ambition in the transfer market. The rejection of this offer means these funds are now potentially available for another target. Investment in the forward line is vital for improving the team's goal output this season, as goals directly impact their league position. Fans are eagerly waiting to see which alternative player the club will target with these resources. As the transfer window nears its end, the board's next moves will be closely watched.
Fenerbahçe must now focus on their league campaign and their next fixture. The team's next Süper Lig match is an away game against 12th-placed Başakşehir on December 6, 2026. Details for this important away fixture can be found on our fixtures page.
