Arsenal are reportedly set to make a sizeable offer for Fenerbahce’s rising star, Ferdi Kadioglu, at the end of the season.
According to Turkish outlet Aksam, Arsenal have earmarked Fenerbahce star Ferdi Kadioglu as a potential summer signing and are ready to lodge an offer in the region of €25 million plus bonuses.
Kadioglu has made a name for himself with Fenerbahce, and despite being under contract there until 2026, he could be ready to take the next step in his career this summer.
The 24-year-old, who can play on both flanks, has featured in all but one of his team’s 30 league games this season, with the Turkish giants in a close title battle with rivals Galatasaray.
He has provided three goals and four assists in 41 games across all competitions this term, which means he now has an overall tally of 184 appearances, 16 goals, and 20 assists for the club.
Before that, the Netherlands-born star plied his trade with NEC Nijmegen, for whom he earned 70 appearances, netted 12 goals, and assisted 16 times.
Kadioglu represented the Dutch national team at youth level all the way up to the under-21s before switching to the Turkish national team at senior level, going on to score once from 15 caps so far.
His form is making Fenerbahce very reluctant to sell, the report adds. It says it would take a sizeable fee to make them consider his exit, with more than two years left on his contract.
How would Ferdi Kadioglu fit in at Arsenal?
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta could choose to look at strengthening left-back due to the frequent injury setbacks to Oleksandr Zinchenko and Takehiro Tomiyasu.
Zinchenko is currently considered the main left-back, who often operates in an inverted role, at Arteta’s disposal.
When Zinchenko is unavailable or out-of-form, Arsenal have a lack of natural depth at left-back, especially after sending Kieran Tierney on loan to Real Sociedad for the season.
Kadioglu could solve that problem while also providing cover on the opposite side of defence, where Ben White and the versatile Tomiyasu can both operate due to being right-footed.
All in all, he could prove to be a smart buy for Arsenal’s squad depth if they land his signature this summer.
However, Kadioglu will also be under observation by the transfer chiefs from Aston Villa and Newcastle, who are also believed to hold interest in the versatile defender.
