Fenerbahce confirm Youssef En-Nesyri transfer to Al Ittihad

Turkish giants Fenerbahçe confirmed that they have reached an agreement over the transfer of Youssef En-Nesyri to Saudi Pro League side Al Ittihad. The Jeddah giants have signed the Moroccan international as their new centre forward.

🤝 Say Welcome to our new Moroccan sniper 🤩💫 pic.twitter.com/fwF2k7qOXu

— Al-Ittihad Club (@ittihad_en) February 3, 2026

En-Nesyri attracted interest from European clubs during the winter transfer window, as he was expected to join Italian side Juventus. Juventus later opted not to proceed with the loan move, while English side Everton cooled off their interest. The prolific goal scorer will now join the reigning Saudi Pro League champions.

Fenerbahçe thanked the 28-year-old striker for his service after he joined in 2024 following a spell in Spain with Sevilla. He also suited up for Malaga and Leganes. He has been a Morocco international since 2016.

Teşekkürler Youssef En-Nesyri

Futbolcumuz Youssef En-Nesyri’nin, Suudi Arabistan Pro Ligi ekiplerinden Al Ittihad FC’ye transferi konusunda anlaşmaya varılmıştır.

Formamızı giydiği süre boyunca sahadaki mücadelesi ve profesyonelliğiyle kulübümüze değer katan En-Nesyri’ye… pic.twitter.com/hfXMGMIGDk

— Fenerbahçe SK (@Fenerbahce) February 4, 2026

En-Nesyri is expected to replace Karim Benzema at his club. The latter, in a surprise move, left the Saudi champions for bitter rivals Al Hilal on Tuesday, February 3rd.

Sergio Conceicao’s charges are sixth with 34 points, 13 points behind table-toppers Al Hilal. Their next assignment will be the Jeddah derby against Al Nassr.

European interest before Saudi move

Before completing the switch to Saudi Arabia, En-Nesyri was heavily linked with a number of European clubs during the winter transfer window. Italian giants Juventus were widely reported to be considering a loan move for the Moroccan international, while Everton also monitored his situation.

However, Juventus ultimately decided not to proceed with the deal, and Everton cooled their interest, opening the door for Al Ittihad to move decisively. The Saudi champions wasted little time in finalizing the agreement, securing a proven goal scorer with extensive experience at both club and international level.

Fenerbahçe bid farewell

Fenerbahçe confirmed the transfer in an official statement, thanking En-Nesyri for his professionalism and contribution since joining the club in 2024. The Istanbul giants highlighted his commitment on and off the pitch, acknowledging the role he played during his spell in Turkey.

The striker arrived at Fenerbahçe after a productive period in Spain, where he represented Sevilla, Malaga, and Leganes. During his time in La Liga, En-Nesyri built a reputation as a powerful and reliable finisher, particularly noted for his aerial ability and work rate.

Why Al Ittihad Signed Youssef En-Nesyri as New Striker

At Al Ittihad, En-Nesyri is expected to assume a leading role in attack, replacing former Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, who completed a shock transfer to bitter rivals Al Hilal earlier this week. Benzema’s departure left a significant void in Al Ittihad’s frontline, making En-Nesyri’s arrival both timely and strategic.

The Moroccan forward’s physical presence, pressing ability, and eye for goal are seen as attributes that suit the demands of the Saudi Pro League. Club officials believe he can quickly adapt and provide the cutting edge needed to reignite their title challenge.

Current league situation

Despite being defending champions, Al Ittihad have endured an inconsistent campaign so far. Under the guidance of Sergio Conceição, the Jeddah giants currently sit sixth in the league table with 34 points, trailing leaders Al Hilal by 13 points.

Their immediate focus will be on closing that gap and climbing the standings, starting with a high-profile Jeddah derby against Al Nassr, a fixture that could serve as the perfect stage for En-Nesyri to announce himself to his new supporters.

International pedigree

En-Nesyri brings significant international experience to Saudi Arabia. He has been a regular member of the Morocco national football team since 2016 and has represented his country at major tournaments, including the Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA World Cup. His consistency at international level has further enhanced his reputation as one of Morocco’s most dependable forwards.