Ozan Tufan did not train with Fenerbahce on Wednesday after the Super Lig side gave the rumoured Everton and Leicester City target permission to speak with Watford, per aSpor.
Fenerbahce are preparing for their Europa League play-off with Helsingin Jalkapalloklubi on Thursday. But Tufan took no part in the sessions, with the midfielder on the verge of joining Watford. The initial loan features a €500k (£425k) fee, plus a €7.5m (£6.5m) option to buy.
Fenerbahce President Ali Koc had told Fanatik in May he would not sell Tufan for anything less than €20m (£17m). His comments came amid reports from FotoMac, claiming Leeds wanted to sign the midfielder before the start of Euro 2020.
Everton, Crystal Palace and Leicester were already in the race to sign Fenerbahce star Tufan from March, per Ajansspor. All three made Fenerbache offers for the 63-cap international, who started all three of Turkey’s European Championship fixtures this summer.
Crystal Palace allegedly bid the most for Tufan, with the Eagles offering €15m (£13m) after Fenerbahce rejected €13m (£11m). Yet, Fabrizio Romano also now claims the 26-year-old will join Watford on loan with an option to buy after they finalised terms on Wednesday.
Watford’s agreement with Fenerbahce for Tufan may include an obligation to make the midfielder’s move permanent if they avoid relegation. The Vicarage Road natives’ most recent top-flight stay lasted four seasons, before securing an immediate return last term.
Fenerbahce to send long-term Everton target Tufan to Watford?
Everton, Leicester, Crystal Palace and Leeds seem set to miss out on signing Tufan with Fenerbahce agreeing terms with Watford. The Hornets’ agreeing an €8m (£7m) package may also frustrate their Premier League rivals, having been quoted €20m (£17m).
Everton chiefs may be the most frustrated to see Tufan head for Watford after Fenerbahce cleared the path to sell. The Goodison Park outfit have a long-term interest in the £37,000-per-week star, with Fanatik citing talks in February 2020. But they refused to pay the €20m.
Now, Watford are seemingly set to deny Everton a transfer for Fenerbahce’s goalscoring midfielder, Tufan. He offered six goals in each of the 2019/20 and 20/21 Super Lig seasons, plus six and 10 assists respectively. Former Fenerbahce boss Vitor Pereira also once said the Premier League-bound star will be ‘on the level of Yaya Toure’, via Chronicle Live.
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