Leeds United are among the clubs interested in the services of in-demand Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu.
According to Studio Voetbal, Orkun Kokcu has once again become a hot commodity in the market in light of his recent success at Feyenoord. The midfielder is courted by a host of clubs across Europe, including Leeds United, AS Roma and Sevilla.
A member of the Feyenoord academy since 2014, Kokcu has been linked with a move to Premier League in the past. Especially after his breakthrough campaign in 2019/20, the midfielder was courted by the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham.
However, the Turk opted to remain at Feyenoord, even signing a contract extension until 2025 last summer. The decision has paid off well for the player, who has since established himself as a major asset to the club’s midfield unit, having already notched up over 100 competitive appearances overall.
Initially starting out his career as a dynamic playmaker, Kokcu has assumed a more withdrawn role under new coach Arne Slot. It has further enhanced his game, with the midfielder showcasing more maturity, patience and work ethic in his game. Kokcu’s rapid rise to prominence has not gone unnoticed, with Leeds United emerging as a potential destination for the Turkish international in January.
After enduring a difficult start to the campaign, it appears the Premier League outfit is on the hunt for a new midfielder this mid-season. They have already been linked with a move for Chelsea outcast Ross Barkley. However, his struggles at Stamford Bridge have raised doubts on whether or not he can be a success at Elland Road.
In Orkun Kokcu, though, the Whites may land themselves a talented individual who has enjoyed a rapid rise in stock since his breakthrough during the 2019/20 campaign. A central midfielder by trade, the 20-year-old offers a lot of tactical versatility to the table while his tenacity and work ethic make him a tailor-made fit for Marcelo Bielsa’s tactical setup.
The player himself will be keen on making the jump to the Premier League after prolonging his stay at Feyenoord in 2020. And Leeds, in that regard, could provide him with the ideal platform to showcase his quality at the highest level of football, although the Whites must be wary of the competition from the likes Sevilla and AS Roma, who are also in the market for Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz this January.