Fenerbahce's potential progress in the Champions League may prompt Mourinho to target Feyenoord's captain, Timber, for recruitment.
Fenerbahce Targets Quinten Timber as Potential Midfield Signing
Fenerbahce, the Istanbul-based football club managed by Jose Mourinho, is reportedly interested in signing Quinten Timber, the 24-year-old Dutch international midfielder and captain of Feyenoord, as a potential transfer target.
According to recent reports, Fenerbahce is considering opening official transfer negotiations only if they eliminate Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round, where the two teams are direct rivals.
Key points on the current status and future plans:
- Contract situation: Timber is in the final year of his Feyenoord contract and has not agreed to a renewal, which increases the possibility of a transfer.
- Performance and fitness: Timber has been an influential player for Feyenoord, starting matches in the current Champions League qualifiers and contributing goals and assists over three seasons. However, he has recently returned from injury, which poses some risk for potential suitors like West Ham United, who are also reportedly interested.
- Fenerbahce's strategy: Jose Mourinho’s side is actively looking to strengthen their midfield after fan criticism of current players. Alongside Timber as a target, they have already signed Croatian midfielder Niko Jankovic and are pursuing Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander from MLS.
- Transfer conditional: Fenerbahce’s pursuit of Timber depends on their success against Feyenoord in the Champions League qualifiers, suggesting that if Fenerbahce progresses, formal offers or negotiations could follow.
Timber himself has publicly dismissed rumors about ongoing transfer talks with Feyenoord or elsewhere as of late July 2025, indicating that while the transfer interest is real, nothing concrete has materialized yet.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce has already made a move by signing Niko Jankovic, a 23-year-old Croatian midfielder, from HNK Rijeka for €5.6 million ($6.5 million). Jankovic has signed a four-year contract with Fenerbahce, but is expected to be loaned out immediately.
Fenerbahce is also pursuing Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander from FC Cincinnati. The club intends to submit an official offer for Evander soon, who scored 19 goals and provided 10 assists in 29 matches during the 2025 season.
It's worth noting that Fenerbahce has left 11 players out of their plans, according to a recent report. The performance of their midfield drew criticism in their first match, with Brazilian star Fred and Sebastian Szymanski facing heavy fan criticism.
Rijeka will receive a 10% share from any future sale of Niko Jankovic.
[1] TransferFeed, "Fenerbahce to consider opening formal talks for Quinten Timber if they eliminate Feyenoord in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round," August 10, 2025. [2] ESPN, "West Ham United eye Quinten Timber as a potential midfield signing," August 5, 2025. [3] Sky Sports, "Quinten Timber returns from injury ahead of Champions League qualifiers," July 25, 2025. [4] Feyenoord.nl, "Quinten Timber: 'I am focused on Feyenoord and not transfer rumours,'" August 15, 2025.
- The Istanbul-based football club Fenerbahce, managed by Jose Mourinho, is targeting Quinten Timber, the Dutch midfielder, as a potential transfer, but only if they defeat his current team, Feyenoord, in the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.
- Fenerbahce is looking to strengthen their midfield, and besides Timber, they have already signed Niko Jankovic from HNK Rijeka and are pursuing Brazilian attacking midfielder Evander from FC Cincinnati.
- Quinten Timber is in the final year of his contract with Feyenoord and has been an influential player for the team, but he recently returned from an injury, which poses some risk for potential suitors.
- Turkish football club Fenerbahce's interest in Quinten Timber depends on their success in the Champions League qualifiers against Feyenoord, and the club's strategy for the upcoming European season also encompasses improvements in their economy and sports performance, particularly in football, where they aim to compete in prominent European leagues such as the Champions League.
