Fenerbahçe set to bring back Yusuf Akçiçek following Champions League qualification

Fenerbahçe faced Lyon in the Champions League play-off round and won the away leg 2-1. Following a 1-1 draw in the first leg, the Turkish side advanced with a 3-2 aggregate victory. According to reports, this result marks Fenerbahçe's return to Europe's most prestigious club competition after either 17 or 18 years, depending on the source.

Following this historic achievement, transfer activity at Fenerbahçe is expected to pick up pace. The club is believed to be looking to strengthen its full-back and center-back positions ahead of the Champions League campaign. Amid these expectations, a surprising development has also emerged.

According to a report by Fanatik, Fenerbahçe are close to re-signing Yusuf Akçiçek, who was sold to Al-Hilal for 22 million euros last season. Long-running negotiations with the Saudi club are said to be nearing completion. The 20-year-old defender is expected to return to the yellow-and-navy blue side on loan.

Reports suggest that Fenerbahçe will cover 3.5 million euros of Akçiçek's six-million-euro annual salary. The young defender is planned to arrive in Istanbul this week. Should the deal be finalized, the club will add another significant name to its Champions League squad.