Turkish media outlet Nutuk reports that Arsenal has taken the first step toward signing Fenerbahce’s left-back, Ferdi Kadioglu, in this summer’s transfer window. The 24-year-old defender has been previously linked with a move to Arsenal, with speculation suggesting that personal terms may have been tentatively agreed upon.
According to Nutuk, Arsenal has made an opening bid of £17 million for Kadioglu. However, they face competition from Borussia Dortmund, which has also reportedly put forward a similar offer. Despite the interest from these two prominent clubs, Fenerbahce is unwilling to accept such a low bid and has set a higher asking price of £30 million, a figure that would break the record for a player leaving the Turkish Super Lig.
Given the current demands and competition, it seems increasingly unlikely that Arsenal will finalize the transfer. Kadioglu, who started his career as a forward and has experience in various attacking roles, has evolved into a versatile defender capable of playing effectively in both full-back positions despite being right-footed. Nonetheless, he prefers to play on the left side of defense.
Arsenal’s depth at left-back complicates the situation further. The club already has Oleksandr Zinchenko, who has recently filled this role, including in their latest match against Bayer Leverkusen. Other available options include Riccardo Calafiori, Jakub Kiwior, Jurrien Timber, and Takehiro Tomiyasu. Kieran Tierney, another potential choice, is currently out due to a long-term hamstring injury.
Given their strong current lineup, it seems unlikely that Arsenal would prioritize signing Kadioglu, especially considering his Dutch background, which might make him more suited to a move to another European club. The speculation about Arsenal’s interest could have been stirred up by Kadioglu’s agent to attract attention from other clubs, such as Borussia Dortmund, and prompt them to meet Fenerbahce’s high asking price.
As the transfer window continues, Arsenal is likely to shift their focus to other areas of their squad. The club may concentrate on bolstering their midfield and potentially seeking a new center-forward. Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad has become a prominent target for strengthening Arsenal’s midfield.
Arsenal has not recently been linked with new signings for the striker position. However, this could change if Eddie Nketiah opts to leave the club. Olympique Marseille has recently made a new offer for the 25-year-old striker, who is reportedly open to the idea of moving. If Nketiah does depart, Arsenal may look to acquire a new forward before the transfer window closes.
