Arsenal are one among many top clubs interested in signing Stuttgart teenager Berkay Ozcan, according to the player’s agent
The 19-year-old joined the German side in 2013 and made steady progress through the German side’s youth academy. He was then rewarded with a new four-year deal in 2015 before making his senior debut back in August 2016.
According to the Turkish U21 international’s agent, Baris Yukselsen, the midfielder is being monitored by several top clubs around Europe including Arsenal, although the player is focusing on his progress with Stuttgart at the moment.
“Many top clubs are interested at Berkay,” he said, according to Football London. “Arsenal has Berkay on its list, but at the moment he is focusing on Stuttgart’s resurgence.”
Ozcan was born in Germany to Turkish parents like other German internationals including Mesut Ozil and Ilkay Gundogan. He represented Germany Under-15s, but since then he has gone on to represent Turkey at every level up to Under-21s.
In fact, earlier this week Arsenal’s German scout Jurgen Kost revealed that he had been scouting a Turkish central midfielder in Germany although he would not reveal the name, and this appears to support Yukselsen’s claims.
“I have been scouting a Turkish kid in Germany, I watched him 2-3 weeks ago, he plays in central midfield,” Kost was quoted as saying by Turkish-Football. “I won’t give his name yet but he is very talented and we are considering signing him.”
Ozcan is a highly-rated midfielder who has made 11 starts and 5 substitute appearances for Stuttgart this season in the Bundesliga. The 19-year old has picked up 2 goals and 3 assists in those appearances and has been named man of the match on two occasions this season.
The Turkish midfielder has been making a name for himself as something of a dead ball expert but he is also known for his ability to run with the ball. A player who has good vision and likes playing through balls, Ozcan is registering an average of 1.3 key passes per match according to WhoScored.
Arsenal are always on the lookout for young, talented midfielders and it appears that they have another one on their radar. The Gunners have particularly been identifying central midfielders lately, with Jack Wilshere, Aaron Ramsey and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all having uncertain futures at the club.
Santi Cazorla has been plagued with injuries for the past 3 years and seems unlikely to stay at the club beyond next season and Francis Coquelin has been hugely underwhelming this season, so it is no surprise to see Arsenal scouting midfield players to freshen up their squad.
