Borussia Dortmund pull out of race for Ferdi Kadioglu
National football player Ferdi Kadioglu comes onto the field to warm up before Türkiye faced Austria at Leipzig Stadium, Saxony, Germany, July 2, 2024. (AA Photo)
Borussia Dortmund has decided not to pursue a transfer for Ferdi Kadioglu, one of the standout players of Euro 2024, primarily because of financial considerations and Fenerbahce’s firm stance on his transfer fee.
Kadioglu played a crucial role in Türkiye’s impressive run to the Euro 2024 quarterfinals. Borussia Dortmund initially targeted the 24-year-old left-back after failing to sign Ian Maatsen on a permanent transfer.
However, Fenerbahce’s demand of more than $32.45 million for Kadioglu became a major obstacle. Sky Sport reported that Borussia Dortmund found this price too high and decided against making a formal offer.
With this decision, Dortmund plans to rely on Ramy Bensebaini as their primary left-back for the upcoming season, with Tom Rothe, who had a successful loan at Holstein Kiel, as a backup. Additionally, the club is set to sign midfielder Pascal Gross, who can also fill in at left-back if needed.
Interest in Ferdi Kadioglu from major clubs
Despite Borussia Dortmund’s withdrawal, other major European clubs have shown interest in Kadioglu. Brighton & Hove Albion made official contact with the player’s representatives.
Turkish transfer expert Yagiz Sabuncuoglu revealed this information, stating, “Brighton made official contact with the player’s side to add Ferdi Kadioglu to their squad and asked about his situation!”
Brighton is one of three clubs keen on signing Kadioglu, with Manchester United also placing the Turkish international on their transfer list. However, neither club has yet made a formal offer due to Fenerbahce’s high transfer fee.
Future prospects for Turkish national football player Kadioglu
Kadioglu’s performances at both club and international levels have been remarkable. Since joining Fenerbahce from NEC Nijmegen in 2018, he has made nearly 200 appearances, scored 17 goals, and provided 22 assists.
His versatility allows him to play as a midfielder or winger, which adds significant value. Kadioglu has earned 20 caps for Türkiye since switching his national allegiance from the Netherlands in 2022.
Fenerbahce’s reluctance to sell Kadioglu is evident. The club’s management, including coach Jose Mourinho, emphasized their commitment to retaining their best players to ensure the team’s progress.
Mourinho stated, “Our president wants the club to progress, not regress. Keeping our best players is crucial for that development.”
Fenerbahce Vice President Acun Ilicali also stressed Kadioglu’s importance, saying, “Ferdi is very valuable to us. We will not send him unless he expresses a desire to leave. Even offers of $43.25 million won’t sway us.”
As the transfer window progresses, Kadioglu’s future remains uncertain. His stellar performance at Euro 2024 has significantly increased his market value and attracted the attention of Europe’s top clubs.
