Arsenal are in talks with the agent of Sead Kolasinac over terminating the Bosnian’s contract so he can join Fenerbahce on a free transfer this summer, according to Fanatik.
Fenerbahce have a preliminary agreement in place with Kolasinac over a potential move to the Estadio Sukru Saracoglu. The deal would see the left-back reunite with former Gunners teammate and close friend Mesut Ozil, who moved to the Istanbul outfit in January.
Kolasinac would earn an annual salary of €1.8m (£29k-p/w) with the Super Lig outfit next season. But the Yellow Canaries will not rush his arrival and are waiting on the outcome of his ongoing talks with Arsenal.
Kolasinac’s agent wants Arsenal to pay off the remainder of his Gunners contract so he can join Fenerbahce. The ex-Schalke full-back, who returned to the Veltins-Arena on loan in January, has one year on his €5.5m-a-year (£90k-p/w) deal.
Arsenal are only prepared to pay off €2.5m (£2m) of the amount owed to Kolasinac for next season. However, his agent is pushing for €3.7m (£3m) from the north Londoners, with Fenerbahce covering the €1.8m (£1.5m) difference.
Fenerbahce want to sign Kolasinac for free if his agent can agree on compensation with Arsenal. The Gunners are also open to parting with the defender, who FC Inter News claim they offered to Inter Milan. Calciomercato also note Napoli and Lazio have explored deals.
Arsenal allowed Ozil to join Fenerbahce in January after agreeing to pay off part of his remaining contract. Football.london reported the Gunners handed over around £4-5m to the German, who earned £7m-a-year at the Emirates Stadium.
Ozil then penned a €4m-a-year (£65k-p/w) contract in Istanbul, while securing a €4m (£4.5m) signing-on bonus. Now, Kolasinac’s agent is angling for the same, it seems.
Arsenal to finally offload unwanted Kolasinac to Fenerbahce?
Arsenal are likely reluctant to pay the full amount owed to Kolasinac to facilitate his move to Fenerbahce. But the Gunners are clearly keen to offload the full-back, who featured just once in the Premier League last season.
Mikel Arteta also only fielded the 28-year-old in the second game of the season and often left the defender out of his matchday squad. Gary Neville further lashed out at the German-born Bosnian on Sky Sports in January. He said on Monday Night Football:
“I really like him [Kieran Tierney], I think they trust him. He gives his all. Kolasinac was playing there, who was nowhere near at the level Arsenal need.”
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
