Benfica Transfers Kerem Aktürkoğlu to Fenerbahçe for €22.5M After Champions League Exit

Benfica has agreed to sell Turkish international winger Kerem Aktürkoğlu to Fenerbahçe for 22.5 million euros, with potential performance-related payments increasing the total to 25 million euros. Aktürkoğlu's goal for Benfica in a 1-0 victory over Fenerbahçe knocked the Turkish club out of the Champions League playoffs, ending their 17-season absence from the tournament. On the same day as the transfer announcement, Fenerbahçe parted ways with their manager, José Mourinho, who was unable to guide the team back to the Champions League group stage. Galatasaray, Aktürkoğlu's former club, was informed of the transfer due to preferential rights and will receive a sell-on fee from the deal. Aktürkoğlu, 26, had joined Benfica last year after winning consecutive Süper Lig titles with Galatasaray and is expected to soon complete medical checks before signing with Fenerbahçe. The transfer marks a significant domestic move in Turkish football, shortly following Fenerbahçe's relegation to the Europa League.