Feyenoord may be forced to accept a vastly reduced fee for Arsenal and Everton target Orkun Kokcu, the Eredivisie club’s director Mark Koevermans has suggested in conversation with Algemeen Dagblad.
Not so long ago, one of the giants of Dutch football were expected to demand a sizeable sum for a teenage midfielder who has really caught the eye during a breakthrough season in the Eredivisie.
The Mail reports that Arsenal held talks over a potential £23 million deal for Kokcu. Everton are also interested in a Turkey U21 international whose rapid rise to prominence at De Kuip will have caught the eye of Toffees’ talent-spotter Marcel Brands (Sky).
But, with the ongoing global health crisis expected to leave an indelible imprint on the transfer market, players like Kokcu could see their values tumble over the weeks and months to come.
“It’s tricky. What will Ajax get for Donny van de Beek (these days)? The same amount as six months ago? I do not know,” said Koevermans when asked about Kokcu’s future.
“In the previous period that Feyenoord was having a hard time financially, we knew at one point ‘if we continue to do this and that, we will recover.’ In this crisis, no one knows where the end point lies.”
According to Voetbal International, Kokcu has rejected the chance to sign fresh terms at Feyenoord, with the midfield dynamo seemingly setting his hearts on a move away from the Netherlands.
The chance to play under a coach like Mikel Arteta and Carlo Ancelotti would undoubtedly appeal, even if there is a nagging feeling that Kokcu is not quite ready to make a big step forward in his career after just nine months or so in the senior game.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
