Arsenal will now try to sign £25m target ‘next week’ to solve big injury problem

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Arsenal are in the market for a defender in the January transfer window, and they need to secure someone as a matter of urgency.

Takehiro Tomiyasu is away at the Asia Cup, Jurrien Timber and Thomas Partey are absent with long-term injuries, and Ben White has been playing through injury for over two months.

Arsenal were already short of depth at the back at the start of the season, and they are now close to a full-blown crisis as they are drastically short of options.

Oleksandr Zinchenko even missed Sunday’s defeat to Fulham with an issue, and with Jakub Kiwior failing to impress out of position, a player who can appear at left-back is now being targeted by Mikel Arteta.

Arsenal are ready to make offer for Ferdi Kadioglu

A report from Turkish outlet Sabah has now revealed that Arsenal have been impressed by Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu.

It is claimed that Arsenal are ready to make an offer for the left-back as soon as next week, but the Turkish side do not want to lose him and value him at £25m.

Arsenal may also face a problem as Fenerbahce will try to convince the 24-year-old to continue at the club until the end of the season, and it seems unlikely that he will force a move away.

With Arsenal struggling for funds as a result of financial fair play restrictions, they may have to negotiate a loan or a cheaper deal, which seems unlikely given his importance to Fenerbahce, but the desperation for a defender could force the club to find a solution through sales or player swaps, with Mohamed Elneny also wanted by sides in Turkey.

Would Ferdi Kadioglu be a good signing for Arsenal?

Kadioglu is predominantly a left-back despite being right-footed, and crucially, he can play on both sides of defence.

This means that he can cover for both Zinchenko and White whilst the other fullback options are unavailable, and also means he may be able to replicate Zinchenko’s inverted role.

He has made 24 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring twice and providing three assists, and has missed just two games through injury.

At 24, he would also be an option for the long-term, and it is clear that the club are targeting his profile as someone who can instantly provide cover across different positions, but the viability of such a deal given the financial situation is still not promising.