18.08.2026 15:31
Fenerbahçe, preparing to host Lyon in the UEFA Champions League play-off round, has come under the lens of the French press. Attention was drawn to the yellow-navy team's star-studded squad, while its debt of approximately 430 million euros and annual player salary budget, reported to have reached 170 million euros, were highlighted.
Fenerbahce, who will face Olympique Lyon in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League play-off round, has drawn attention in France for its transfer policy.
The French press highlighted that the yellow-navy club continues its star transfers despite a debt of approximately 430 million euros and UEFA's Financial Fair Play sanctions.
FINANCIAL FAIR PLAY PENALTY FROM UEFA
At the end of June, Fenerbahce was fined by UEFA for non-compliance with Financial Fair Play rules. However, this sanction did not slow down the yellow-navy club's activity in the transfer market.
GREENWOOD, LUKAKU, AND AKE JOINED THE SQUAD
This summer, Fenerbahce added important names such as Romelu Lukaku, Mason Greenwood, and Nathan Ake to its squad. The new signings joined the stars already in the squad, including Ederson, N'Golo Kante, Marco Asensio, and Matteo Guendouzi.
With the increasing number of star players, Fenerbahce's budget allocated for player salaries has also become one of the topics highlighted by the French press.
SALARY BUDGET OF 170 MILLION EUROS
The report stated that Fenerbahce's annual player salary expenditure has reached approximately 170 million euros. It was noted that in Turkey, Galatasaray follows Fenerbahce, with the red-yellow club's annual salary budget being around 116 million euros. It was also recorded that Fenerbahce's Champions League play-off round opponent Lyon allocates approximately 55 million euros annually to player salaries, according to Capology data. Based on these figures, Fenerbahce's salary budget is about three times that of Lyon.
430 MILLION EURO DEBT HIGHLIGHTED
The French press also devoted extensive coverage to Fenerbahce's financial situation. It was pointed out that the yellow-navy club has a debt of approximately 430 million euros. The assessment was made that Fenerbahce, which continues its transfer investments despite UEFA's Financial Fair Play sanctions and its current debt level, is taking a significant economic risk in line with its Champions League goal.