Fenerbahce Leads Race for Sorloth as Atletico Eyes Vlahovic
Fenerbahce have moved into pole position to sign Alexander Sorloth from Atletico Madrid, with the Turkish club ready to test the Spanish side’s resolve over a deal that could reshape Diego Simeone’s attack and unlock a move for Dusan Vlahovic.
According to Marca journalist Matteo Moretto, cited by beIN Sports, Fenerbahce are leading the race for the Norwegian striker, who is under contract at the Metropolitano until June 2028 after arriving from Villarreal in August 2024. Atletico value Sorloth at around €40 million (£34m/$46m), and the feeling inside the club is that Fenerbahce have the financial muscle to reach that figure.
This is not just another summer negotiation. For Atletico, Sorloth’s sale sits at the heart of their transfer plan.
Key domino in Atletico’s summer
Atletico’s hierarchy see the potential Sorloth fee as a crucial piece in balancing the books and creating room on the wage bill. The numbers matter here: offloading a high-earning, saleable asset gives them the freedom to move decisively for Vlahovic.
The Serbian forward is lined up to arrive on a free transfer once his Juventus contract expires at the end of June. No transfer fee, but not a cheap signing either. Wages and a significant signing-on package still require space in the budget, and Sorloth is the lever that makes it possible.
Talks are active but not yet at the finish line. There is still no formal bid that fully matches Atletico’s €40m asking price, yet discussions between the clubs are ongoing and detailed, with both sides working through the structure of the deal rather than debating whether it should happen.
From target man to relentless runner
On the pitch, Sorloth’s departure would change the look and feel of Simeone’s frontline.
The Norwegian offers a classic focal point: big frame, strong in the air, a reference for long balls and crosses when Atletico need to go direct. Lose him, and Simeone loses that obvious outlet, the striker who can pin centre-backs and turn hopeful deliveries into dangerous moments.
Vlahovic would bring something different. Still powerful, still capable of leading the line, but with a more explosive, high-intensity style. His movement into channels, aggression in pressing and sharpness attacking the box would tilt Atletico’s attack towards a more dynamic, front-foot approach rather than a reliance on a pure target man.
The shift is clear: from aerial dominance to constant movement; from a battering ram to a striker who thrives on tempo.
Fenerbahce’s statement play
For Fenerbahce, Sorloth is not a luxury signing. He is the plan.
The Istanbul giants view him as the central figure to spearhead both their domestic title push and their European ambitions. A proven goalscorer with the physical profile to bully defences in the Turkish league and the experience to handle continental nights, he fits the image of a marquee centre-forward around whom a squad can be built.
The negotiations now revolve around the fine print. Both clubs are working through the payment structure and performance-related add-ons that will shape the final package. Upfront fee, instalments, bonuses linked to goals, appearances, European progress — these are the details on the table.
Once that puzzle is solved and Sorloth’s move to Istanbul is sealed, the path clears. For Atletico, it becomes the green light to push Vlahovic through the door at the Metropolitano and roll into the new season with a very different face leading their attack.
