Arsenal interested in Basaksehir and Turkey midfielder Ozcan

Arsenal are one of numerous Premier League clubs to be considering a transfer for Istanbul Basaksehir midfielder Berkay Ozcan, according to reports.

Ozcan played in the Turkish side’s recent Champions League victory over Man Utd at home.

That victory earned them their first three points in the group stage and it looks like United’s Prem rivals were watching.

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According to Transfermarkt (via Goal), Arsenal are now interested in signing the player to bolster their midfield.

The report states that they have been monitoring his progress for some time now. They initially targeted Ozcan back in 2017, when he was playing for German side VFB Stuttgart.

The Gunners were unable to sign him as he eventually decided on a move to Hamburger SV.

It’s also said that Arsenal are joined by other Premier League sides in pursuing Ozcan, although they have not yet been named.

He moved from Hamburger SV to Basaksehir in July this year after impressing during a loan spell.

Since then, the central midfielder has become a regular in the first team and one of the most valuable players in the Turkish league.

Still aged just 22, Ozcan has plenty of time to reach his high potential at one of Europe’s top clubs.

He played in most of the 2-1 victory over United at the start of November. He didn’t look out of his depth against the likes of Donny van de Beek, Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic.

It’s thought that his performance against the Red Devils could now earn him a Premier League transfer.

Ozcan could form a brilliant partnership in midfield with recent signing Thomas Partey. That would allow Mikel Arteta to unleash players such as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe going forward without sacrificing midfield stability.