Ottolini Flies To Istanbul To Close En-Nesyri Deal For Juventus – Relief For Crystal Palace
Juventus will likely drop their interest in Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta if they sign Youssef En-Nesyri.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Updated on 22 January 2026
Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini has travelled to Istanbul to try to finalise a deal for Fenerbahce’s Youssef En-Nesyri.
Reports in Italy say the Bianconeri executive is meeting Fenerbahce officials face-to-face, as Juve to land a new centre-forward.
Juventus have also been eyeing Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, but those talks have been difficult.
If Juve switch fully to En-Nesyri, it could ease pressure on Palace amid widespread interest in Mateta.
Youssef En-Nesyri and why Juventus have gone to Istanbul
Tuttomercatoweb say Juventus sporting director Marco Ottolini arrived in Istanbul on Wednesday morning to try to close talks for Youssef En-Nesyri.
The striker, recently back from the Africa Cup of Nations, is now viewed as Juventus’ main target up front.
Juventus’ preferred structure is a loan with an option to buy. However, Fenerbahce are pushing for an obligation to buy instead.
Fener reportedly want that obligation set at around €20m, while Juventus are trying to keep it as a straight option.
#Juventus are in talks with #Fenerbahçe for Youssef #EnNesyri. The striker has given his availability to join #Juve, which would like to sign him on loan with the option to buy. Fener ask an obligation upon reaching certain conditions. Expected a new round talks in the aftenoon
— Nicolò Schira (@NicoSchira) January 22, 2026
Juventus’ latest proposal is apparently a paid loan worth €2-3m, plus a buy clause of roughly €17m, again as an option.
The thinking is that Juventus don’t want to commit long-term to a third striker ahead of June.
Dusan Vlahovic is expected to leave in the summer, with Juve also looking to decide on the futures of Lois Openda or Jonathan David.
Youssef En-Nesyri to Juventus and what it means for Mateta and Palace
The same report says Jean-Philippe Mateta is getting ‘further away’, because Juventus and Crystal Palace are far apart financially.
With Aston Villa also moving into the Mateta picture, it adds another complication for Juventus on that front.
Juventus are trying to solve their problem in Turkey instead. Marco Ottolini’s trip is a signal they believe an agreement is possible.
For Palace, Juventus signing Youssef En-Nesyri would be a form of relief. It reduces the list of Mateta’s suitors by one.
As for Juve, their goal is to agree the final formula with Fenerbahce and bring En-Nesyri to Turin on their terms.
In other Bianconeri news, Juventus like Simon Adingra, who plays for Palace’s Premier League rivals Sunderland.
Giuseppe Labellarte
Giuseppe Labellarte is a sports journalist with over a decade of professional experience in the industry. His main professional expertise is in soccer. Prior to joining FootItalia, he worked for the likes of Sports Mole, TBR Football, the Chelsea Chronicle and numerous other sites, along with having bylines in the likes of the Nottingham Post. He holds degrees in Journalism and International Relations.
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