Arsenal are eager to sign Fenerbahce defender Ferdi Kadioglu this summer, according to Turkish publication Sabah.
The Gunners have been heavily linked with the Turkey international over the past few weeks, and personal terms are being discussed with his agent.
Arsenal have reportedly already made an ‘official offer’ of €20 million, which the Fenerbahce management rejected.
The club are ‘insistent’ on landing the versatile full-back, and the hierarchy are prepared to make a fresh proposal worth €25m in the coming days.
Kadioglu could replace Zinchenko at Arsenal
The Gunners currently have a settled central defensive partnership in William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes while Ben White is an undisputed starter at right-back.
However, they lack quality at left-back. Oleksandr Zinchenko, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Jakub Kiwior shared the duties this season.
Zinchenko was largely out of favour during the back end of the campaign. Kiwior was preferred over him before Tomiyasu became the first choice.
If Arsenal were to sign Kadioglu, Zinchenko could be shown the exit door. The Ukrainian was once the manager’s favourite but that is no longer the case.
Kadioglu started his career as an attacking midfielder and a right winger, but he has played both full-back positions for Fenerbahce over the past couple of years.
The 24-year-old has particularly impressed from the left side of the backline this term. He has made eight goal contributions but has also been brilliant with his defensive displays.
The Turkish ace has averaged two tackles and 6.5 ball recoveries per league outing. He has also won 60 percent of his duels while almost completing two take-ons per appearance.
Kadiogly could provide the right balance in attack and defence. The right-footed star has been compared to Joao Cancelo with his ability to invert and provide line-breaking passes.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com & Sofascore.com.
This article was written by .
