French playmaker Mathieu Valbuena has dimissed the latest rumours as he continues to be linked with a move away from Fenerbahce this summer.
Fenerbahce midfielder Mathieu Valbuena has played down the rumors linking him to French side Bordeaux. The rumors surfaced after the French winger was benched by Fenerbahçe coach Aykut Kocaman in the second half of the Spor Toto Super League 2017-2018 season.
Valbuena, however, ended the speculations as he told French media; “I will not leave Fenerbahce. Istanbul is a beautiful city and I am fine there.”
The 33-year-old made 40 approaches for Fenerbahce, scoring eight goals and producing 16 assists. Meanwhile, Turkish media reports claimed that Fenerbahce is set to part ways with coach Kocaman after a season that saw the Istanbul side finish second. According to reports, Portuguese coach Jorge Jesus was the likely candidate to replace Kocaman. Jesus has previously managed Portugal powerhouses Benfica and Sporting Lisbon. Reports are circulating suggesting if current controversial chairman Aziz Yildirim is re-elected on June 3rd, Jesus will take over as manager, a promise Yildirim has vowed to keep.
Yıldırım is going up against Ali Koc, a prominent Turkish businessman.
In other developments, Roma is reportedly interested in another Turkish player after Cengiz Under’s great success at the club. Italy’s leading sports daily, La Gazzetta della Sport claimed that Besiktas midfielder Tolgay Arslan was on Roma’s watchlist. Arslan is one of the three midfielders who are on Roma’s transfer agenda, along with Atlanta’s Bryan Cristante and Dinamo Zagreb’s Ante Coric. Arslan played 43 matches and made three assists this season. Even though the Black Eagles have extended his contract until 2022, the Istanbul giants may sell Arslan if they receives an offer of over €10 million, according to Turkish media.