The £30m Transfer Arsenal Should Pursue Aggressively This Summer

Arsenal have made a transfer bid for a player who’s already made a big impact at Euro 2024.

At the start of the transfer window, Arsenal weren’t believed to be prioritising signing a new left wing-back.

With options like Oleksandr Zinchenko, Jakub Kiwior, and Takehiro Tomiyasu, who recently signed a new contract, their defense seemed well-covered.

However, uncertainty over the quality of their options and an impressive performance against Georgia at Euro 2024 have tipped Arsenal’s hand.

Reports now suggest that the Gunners have opened the bidding for Fenerbahçe and Turkey player Ferdi Kadioğlu.

Arsenal’s Bid and Rival Interest

According to the Daily Mirror and other sources, Arsenal’s opening bid of £18m has been rejected.

Fenerbahçe is holding out for £30m amid rival interest from Borussia Dortmund and the Saudi Pro League.

If Arsenal succeeds in signing the Dutch-born 24-year-old once he finishes his stint with his national side in Germany, what kind of player would they be getting?

Would he represent an improvement over their current options?

A Versatile Wing-Back

Kadioğlu is a right-footed left wing-back, similar to Tomiyasu, who often drifts inside but can also play on the right when required.

As demonstrated against Georgia, he’s more than happy to burst down the left and look to get crosses in on his weaker foot.

It was one such cross that led to Mert Müldür’s magnificent opening goal in the pulsating Group F tie.

This versatility gives Kadioğlu an edge over Arsenal’s current options and would provide Arteta with more tactical flexibility.

Arteta began the season using Zinchenko as an inverted wing-back to supplement Declan Rice in midfield, before switching to a more orthodox supporting left-back later on.

Kadioğlu can do both while also offering a genuine overlapping threat outside of Gabriel Martinelli or Leandro Trossard.

This was notably absent from an Arsenal team that came agonisingly close to winning a first league title in 20 years and otherwise appeared to have few major tactical flaws.

A Superb Runner and Defender

Kadioğlu is also a superb runner with plenty of pace and the technique to take on and beat his man at speed, a quality currently lacking in Arsenal’s left-sided full-backs.

All three left-backs who played the role last season are tidy, intelligent players with good passing and ball-retention skills, offering more control in possession.

However, none can break lines and penetrate defences like the 16-cap Turkey international.

Kadioğlu is also a fine defender who makes tackles and forces turnovers while doing the hard yards running up the field.

His statistics may be padded by playing in the Turkish Süper Lig, a slightly lower level, but all evidence suggests he is the kind of player who could genuinely upgrade Arsenal’s squad.

A Smart Signing

Signing Kadioğlu would have knock-on effects, potentially requiring the departure of one of the current players.

This is without even considering Kieran Tierney, who has been injured on Scotland duty following the end of his loan spell at Real Sociedad.

However, if Arsenal can find a price somewhere between the £18m offered and the £30m asked, they will likely make a very shrewd signing.

There will be competition, with Dortmund keen to move after missing out on Chelsea’s Ian Maatsen, who is on the verge of a move to Aston Villa.

However, Kadioğlu is reportedly less keen on a move to Saudi Arabia, so the field may not be too extensive.

This is a transfer Arsenal can absolutely make happen, and one they should prioritize.