Taylor as successor at Lazio
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The move from ex-Herthan player Mattéo Guendouzi to top Turkish club Fenerbahce is perfect. The 26-year-old Lazio midfielder was introduced in Istanbul late on Thursday evening. The Turks are expected to pay 28 million euros to the Italians, making him the most expensive signing in the club’s history. An additional 2 million euros in bonuses should be added.
According to transfer reporter Fabrizio Romano, Lazio has found what he is looking for in the Netherlands. Kenneth Taylor from Ajax Amsterdam is due to complete the medical check in Rome on Friday. Accordingly, the 23-year-old is due 15 million plus 2 million euros in bonuses. He signed a contract until 2030.
Guendouzi, who played for Hertha BSC in the 2020/21 season, moved to the Italian capital in the summer of 2024 after a one-year loan for 13 million euros. Since then, the Frenchman has been the undisputed regular in Lazio’s midfield and played 111 games. He scored six goals and ten assists. After finishing seventh last year, the two-time Scudetto winner is not represented internationally this season and is currently ninth in Serie A.
It was only in the summer that Fenerbahce signed a new record transfer. Kerem Aktürkoğlu came to the Bosporus from Benfica for 22.5 million euros. The club, which is coached by the German-Italian Domenico Tedesco, is on track for record spending. Even before the Guendouzi transfer, these were at 92 million euros – the canaries have never had higher investments. For the first time in the club’s history, expenditure in a season has now exceeded the 100 million mark.
Guendouzi ranks fourth among the most expensive new signings in Süper Lig history. The undisputed leader is Victor Osimhen, for whom Galatasaray paid Naples 75 million euros in the summer. Fenerbahce is still unbeaten this season and is still only second in the table behind local rivals Galatasaray (to the table). The gap is three points. Guendouzi should help win their first championship since 2014.
This article first appeared at 7:12am on January 8th and has been updated following confirmation from the clubs.