Arsenal are ready to dish out £11 million for Oğuzhan Özyakup as a possible replacement for Mesut Ozil, who already has his feet halfway out the door. They will be looking to waive their 30% sell on clause for the Turkish player as per previous agreements set with Beşiktaş J.K. Football Team.
They could have activated the clause and paid only £7.7 million.
Özyakup failed to break into Arsene Wenger’s first team squad from the youth ranks and was sold for a meagre fee of £400,000 to the Turkish giants on 8 June 2012. Ever since his transfer, Özyakup has set the Turkish league ablaze with his technical ability and composure on the ball.
Özyakup has appeared in 200 games for the club with 27 goals and 45 assists. He had appeared for the Netherlands U-17 and U-19 team, but later chose to play for Turkey. He has been called the next leader of the Turkish national team after Arda Turan, with 30 caps already under his belt.
The 25 year old, had a significant hand in dominating the midfield to grab the Super Lig title for the past 2 seasons with Beşiktaş. He has recently taken up the captain’s armband to lead the team to a first spot finish in the Champions League group stage this season. It is fair to say that Özyakup has really come into life ever since he got a chance to display his talent in Turkey.
Enjoying a good run of form, Özyakup is yet to break into the peak of his career as football pundits believe his talents are boundless. Arsenal are in desperate need of creative talent and the attacking midfielder might be a perfect fit for the Gunners. Already accustomed to Wenger’s style of coaching and heaps of European experince, Özyakup might not take long to settle into the pace of the Premier League.
Arsenal are currently struggling in Premier League after their 1-3 defeat to Manchester United at the Emirates. With the unwilling and improbable futures of Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez with the club, Wenger is searching for immediate replacements in order to win the Europa league and finish in top 4 by the end of the season.
They can also sign him for free in the summer of 2018, as his contract is set to end by then.
If the club does decide to cash in on the two stars instead of letting them go for nothing in June 2018, they will require supreme talent to cover the vacuum left by the them.
Özyakup has also attracted attention from Serie A side, AC Milan although they haven not made a bid for him yet.
