Urawa Reds on the Brink of Signing Cenk Tosun | OneFootball

Urawa Reds Intensify Pursuit of Turkey International Cenk Tosun

Urawa Reds are reportedly making a final push to sign Turkey international forward Cenk Tosun from Fenerbahce, with negotiations intensifying as the J1 League's winter transfer window nears its March 26 deadline. The latest developments suggest that personal terms have been agreed upon between Tosun and Urawa, but club-level discussions remain ongoing.

Tosun's Situation at Fenerbahce

Cenk Tosun, who scored one goal in two appearances for Turkey at EURO 2024, has struggled to secure regular playing time under manager Jose Mourinho this season. In the current campaign, he has made only seven appearances, totaling just 71 minutes, contributing one goal. Despite his limited involvement, Tosun remains a formidable presence in the box, as evidenced by his dueling success rate and past achievements.

The 33-year-old striker joined Fenerbahce last summer but found himself marginalized due to competition for places and Mourinho's tactical preferences. His contract with the Turkish giants extends until June 2026, complicating any potential transfer negotiations. Reports indicate that Mourinho personally urged Tosun to reconsider leaving, emphasizing the player's importance to the team despite minimal contributions this season.

Urawa Reds' Interest

For Urawa Reds, acquiring a player of Tosun's caliber represents a significant boost to their attacking options. The club aims to strengthen its forward line ahead of crucial fixtures in both domestic and continental competitions. Tosun's experience in European tournaments, including the UEFA Europa League, could prove invaluable for the Japanese side.

Japanese media reports confirm that Urawa Reds have submitted a formal offer for Tosun, marking a significant step in the transfer process. According to some sources, the deal could involve a loan agreement until the end of the current season, with an option to make the move permanent. This approach aligns with Urawa's strategy of bringing in experienced players to complement their younger talent.

Conflicting Reports

While Urawa appears committed to securing Tosun's signature, conflicting signals have emerged from Turkey. Some reports suggest that Tosun contacted Beşiktaş president Serdal Adalı, expressing interest in returning to the club where he previously enjoyed success. However, Adalı dismissed these claims, citing financial constraints as a barrier to such a move.

Additionally, there were rumors suggesting Tosun had reached out to Bodrum FK during the midseason break, but those talks reportedly went nowhere. Meanwhile, Turkish journalist Yağız Sabuncuoğlu, known for his reliable insights into Fenerbahce's internal affairs, confirmed that Tosun and Urawa had reached an agreement on personal terms. Another influential figure, Akın Ilkaylı—a prominent Fenerbahce supporter and owner of English second-tier club Hull City AFC—endorsed Sabuncuoğlu's report, lending credibility to the transfer speculation.

Historical Context

If Tosun does join Urawa Reds, he would become the second Turkish player to represent the club after Alpay Özalan, who played for Urawa during the 2003-2004 season. Özalan's tenure in Japan was marked by notable achievements, providing a precedent for Tosun's potential impact.

What's Next?

The next few days will be critical in determining whether Tosun completes his move to Urawa Reds. Club-level negotiations between Urawa and Fenerbahce are reportedly underway, with key issues such as transfer fee and contract duration still unresolved. Given Mourinho's reported desire to keep Tosun, Fenerbahce may attempt to extract maximum value from any deal.