Arsenal and Napoli will have scouts in attendance as Fenerbahce visit Hatayspor this Saturday afternoon to watch Ferdi Kadioglu with the left-back ‘certain’ for a transfer.
The Gunners and Azzurri are eager to run the rule over Kadioglu as they strive to strengthen in defence. Fenerbahce have watched the 24-year-old grow into one of their most influential players this season. But his career in Istanbul beyond the current campaign is highly unlikely.
Several major European clubs including Arsenal and Napoli have taken a real liking to the 15-cap Turkey international. So, The Star claims that scouts for the Emirates Stadium and Stadio Diego Armando Maradona clubs will track Kadioglu in Saturday’s 16:00 GMT Super Lig clash.
Arsenal and Napoli target the transfer of Ferdi Kadioglu
Kadioglu is also preparing to leave Fenerbahce at the end of this season having attracted the interest of several top European teams. The Star even suggests that it is considered ‘certain’ he will quit the Sukru Saracoglu Stadium side this summer after his ‘A-class’ performances.
Fenerbahce are alert to the possibility of the left-back’s departure, so want to secure a ‘very good’ fee for any transfer. The Yellow Canaries believe he can draw a club-record fee for any sale. They even want Kadioglu’s transfer to eclipse the fee Galatasaray made for Sacha Boey.
Arnhem, Netherlands native Kadioglu has featured in 36 fixtures so far this season with two goals and three assists. He has also started all 26 of his Super Lig games from a potential 26 fixtures. Fenerbahce have only been without the left-back, who can play at right-back, once.
Fenerbahce have slapped a £30m price tag on Ferdi Kadioglu
Reports by The Star in February claimed that Fenerbahce now value Kadioglu at no less than €35m (£30m). The Sukru Saracoglu Stadium side slapped the price tag on the left-back as Napoli and Borussia Dortmund made approaches to discuss a deal for circa-€25m (£21.5m).
Bayern Munich signed Boey in January for €30m (£26m), which marked an all-time record in the Super Lig. So, if that is the price range Fenerbahce have set for Kadioglu, Arsenal could regret not advancing for a transfer over the winter when the Gunners showed their interest.
Arsenal may now regret not signing Ferdi Kadioglu in January
Reports by Sabah at the start of January noted that Arsenal were considering the transfer of Kadioglu from Fenerbahce. He would have only cost the Gunners €20m (£17m) to sign then, as well. But his ongoing brilliance in Istanbul has added millions and millions to his price tag.
Arsenal even sent club chiefs to Istanbul to discuss Kadioglu’s transfer with Fenerbahce. But they ultimately elected against securing a deal as Jakub Kiwior provided cover for Oleksandr Zinchenko at left-back. Arsenal only envisaged Kadioglu being their No2 option if he joined.
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