Arsenal has reportedly made an initial move to secure Fenerbahce’s left-back, Ferdi Kadioglu, during this summer’s transfer window, as per the Turkish news source Nutuk.
The 24-year-old defender, who has been on Arsenal’s radar since the transfer window opened, is said to have reached a preliminary agreement on personal terms with the club.
Nutuk’s report indicates that Arsenal’s first bid for Kadioglu is valued at £17 million.However, Borussia Dortmund has also entered the fray, submitting an offer in the same region for the versatile player.Despite these advances, Fenerbahce has shown little interest in letting Kadioglu go for the proposed amount.
The Turkish club is holding firm on a £30 million valuation, a figure that would set a new record for a transfer fee involving a player from the Turkish Super Lig.Given the current circumstances, the likelihood of a deal being finalized appears slim.
Kadioglu, who began his football career as a forward, was originally known for his ability to play on either wing or in an attacking midfield role.Over time, he has transitioned into a more defensive position, now regularly featuring as a full-back.
Although capable of covering both sides of the defense, Kadioglu is primarily utilized on the left side of the backline.Despite Arsenal’s interest in the Turkish-born, Netherlands-raised defender, the North London club already has a strong roster of players who can cover the left-back position.
In their recent match against Bayer Leverkusen, Oleksandr Zinchenko was selected as the starting left-back.Beyond Zinchenko, Arsenal has several other players who can fill in on the left side of the defense, including Riccardo Calafiori, JakubKiwior, Jurrien Timber, and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Additionally, Kieran Tierney, who is currently recovering from a long-term hamstring injury, is expected to return to action in the future, further bolstering the team’s depth in this area.Given these considerations, it seems improbable that Arsenal will push forward with signing Kadioglu.
The speculation surrounding his potential transfer to the Premier League club may have been fueled by his representatives, possibly in an effort to entice other European clubs, such as Borussia Dortmund, to meet Fenerbahce’s financial demands.
Looking ahead, it is unlikely that Arsenal will make any more defensive signings before the transfer window closes.Instead, the club’s focus is expected to shift towards reinforcing other areas of the squad, particularly in midfield and at the center-forward position.
Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino is reportedly Arsenal’s top target for strengthening their midfield options.Although the club is not currently in advanced negotiations to sign a new striker, the situation could evolve rapidly if Eddie Nketiah moves on.
The 25-year-old striker has recently been linked with a transfer to Marseille, with the French club reportedly making a new offer for him.Nketiah is said to be open to the possibility of joining Marseille, which could prompt Arsenal to seek out a new forward before the transfer window closes.
