Fenerbahçe star's release clause set to heighten English interest | OneFootball

The agent of Fenerbahçe holding midfielder Ozan Tufan has confirmed the player’s release clause is set at £17m.

The revelation will only increase speculation of a move to the Premier League, with Leicester, Everton and Crystal Palace all heavily linked with the 24-year-old.

Turkish Football has reported that the agent, Utku Cenikli, claims that Tufan was all set for a move to Palace in 2018 only for an injury to striker Bakary Sako to force a change of plan for Eagles boss Roy Hodgson.

“Ozan has always wanted to play in Europe. He returned to Fenerbahce and felt he had a debt to pay,” said Cenikli.

“He wants to leave the club as a player who made Fenerbahce return [to the top of Turkish football] – and he does have a £17m release clause.”

That figure would be well within the budget of all three English clubs linked to Tufan.

Palace may struggle to attract the player given how the deal in 2018 collapsed at the last minute.

Leicester look all but certain to be able to offer Champions League football next season, while Everton may also now be harbouring hopes of playing at Europe’s top table if Manchester City’s two-year ban from the competition holds up.

Fenerbahçe are currently sixth in the Turkish Süper Lig, five points behind leaders İstanbul Başakşehir.