Premier League giants Arsenal are facing a summer rebuild with Mesut Ozil, Matteo Guendouzi, Sokratis and Ainsley Maitland-Niles under threat.
Mikel Arteta could sell a number of first-team stars this summer in order to fund Arsenal’s deal for Orkun Kokcu, according to The Mail, with Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil in the firing line.
If reports are to be believed, The Gunners are closing in on a £23 million deal for one of the most exciting young midfielders in European football.
Kokcu may be just 19 years of age but he is already one of the first names on Feyenoord’s team sheet, playing a major role in the Rotterdammers’ remarkable resurgence under veteran tactician Dick Advocaat.
The Mail claims that Arsenal have entered talks with Feyenoord and hope to wrap up a deal for Kokcu before Euro 2020, fearing that his price-tag could skyrocket with a couple of eye-catching performances for Turkey on the international stage.
Funds are tight at the Emirates these days with the North London giants set to miss out on Champions League football once again and the report adds that four players could be shown the door in an attempt to raise funds for Arteta’s summer rebuild.
Guendouzi and Ainsley Maitland-Niles have fallen out of favour somewhat since the former Manchester City coach’s arrival, the latter having been linked with Inter and AC Milan this week (Calciomercato).
With one goal and just two assists to his name, Ozil has endured a season to forget and Arsenal would love nothing more than to get his staggering £300,000-a-week contract off their wage bill. Ageing centre-back Sokratis Papastathopoulos could also go, with Rob Holding, Pablo Mari and the incoming William Saliba breathing down his neck.
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