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Arsenal ready to sign midfielder after Wenger tables formal offer

By on February 9, 2018

According to a report in the Mirror, Arsenal are hoping to re-sign Oguzhan Ozyakup on a free transfer after making a formal contract offer to the Besiktas midfielder.

Ozyakup was a part of Arsenal’s youth academy after joining the club in 2008 and he made his way through the system before making his first team debut in the League Cup back in 2011.

However, the youngster failed to push on and establish himself as part of Arsene Wenger’s plans as he only managed two appearances in the League Cup before being sold to Besiktas for €500,000 in 2012.

The 25-year-old has been a huge success in Turkey as Ozyakup has played over 200 times to help Besiktas win two Super Lig titles while he’s also represented Turkey 30 times at international level.

Wenger has been keeping a close eye on his development and it seems the boss feels Ozyakup now has what it takes to make it at Arsenal as the Mirror are reporting that we’ve put forward an offer for his signature.

Ozyakup’s current contract is due to expire in June so he’s free to hold talks with foreign clubs about a free transfer move this summer and Arsenal are reportedly keen to resign him on a Bosman.

The newspaper says Arsenal chiefs are now waiting to hear back from the midfielder to see whether he’s going to accept our contract offer and have another go at making it in North London.

I’ve said for some time that we need to strengthen our midfield options and this summer is going to be a vital one in that department as Santi Cazorla’s future is in doubt due to his Achilles injury, Jack Wilshere is yet to sign a new contract, Aaron Ramsey will have just 12 months left on his deal while we haven’t replaced Francis Coquelin.

Plus, Granit Xhaka has been a huge disappointment so I expect Wenger [or another manager?] to sign at least one central midfielder and it looks like the club are hoping to lure Ozyakup back to the Emirates.

However, I personally think he’ll be nothing more than a squad player so if Ozyakup does join Arsenal, I hope we have more ambitious plans to sign a world class defensive midfielder as well.