Russian star on Jose Mourinho: 'He wanted me at Fenerbahçe’

CSKA Moscow's young star Matvey Kislyak commented on reports that Fenerbahce wanted him.

Speaking to Sports RU, a Russian media outlet, Kislyak said, “My agent called and said Fenerbahce was interested. But I didn't take it too seriously. Interest is interest; many clubs can show interest.”

The young player, whose interest from Fenerbahce fans on social media caught his attention, said, “I looked at Instagram, and Turks had written something. I said, ‘What's this?’ Then the news came: ‘Mourinho wants Kislyak.’ I smiled. I didn't believe it until my agent said, ‘I spoke with Mourinho today, and he wants you.’”

Kislyak, who confirmed that Fenerbahce had made a €12 million offer for him and that club manager Roman Babaev had confirmed the transfer offer, said, “This is a nice situation. Fenerbahce is a good European club. This interest is a sign that I'm on the right track.”

Kislyak, who expressed his respect for CSKA Moscow, the club that nurtured him, said, "CSKA nurtured me, I shone here. I'm happy and ready to keep playing. It's easy to say, ‘Stay one more season, then go to a big club...’ But there's no guarantee. Today everything is good, tomorrow it could turn bad. It's not right to think, ‘What if Barcelona wants me?’ when there are options."