Premier League giants Arsenal would be a sensible destination for Orkun Kokcu when the time comes to leave the Eredivise, former Feyenoord ace Ali Boussaboun tells RTV Rijnmond.
With that in mind, the appointment of Arne Slot as the replacement for legendary manager Dick Advocaat last summer felt like a big moment in the midfielder’s young career.
Would he sink? Or would he swim?
Well, to continue with that metaphor, Kokcu has gone from thrashing around in choppy waters to perfecting the butterfly stroke under one of the Eredivisie’s most talented coaches.
The 21-year-old is blossoming in a deep-lying midfield role. He’s even provided six assists and five goals so far – including one of the strikes of the season, a Ronaldo-esque knuckleball in Feyenoord’s 2-1 win away at NEC Nijmegen in January.
“Kokcu looks good,” Boussaboun tells RTV Rijnmond .
“Perhaps (he won’t settle at) the absolute top but certainly at the ‘sub-top’. Clubs such as Arsenal. Kokcu may be worth fifty or sixty million euros in the future.”
Could Arsenal come calling for Feyenoord’s Orkun Kokcu again?
Arsenal have, of course, shown an interest in Kokcu before.
According to The Mail, the London giants held talks with a then 19-year-old Kokcu in May 2020. What’s more, the Gunners were reportedly hoping to seal a £23 million deal as soon as possible, amid concerns that an impressive run of form at that summer’s European Champions would catch the attention of other big fish.
But it’s only now, nearly two years later, that Kokcu is starting to live up to those early expectations. Better late than never, of course.
“He has so much energy now,” Boussaboun adds. “You see him sprinting back when he loses the ball. He finally has the fitness that is required and that is also a compliment to the staff. Because they are responsible for that plan.
“When you are eighteen years old, and you play for Feyenoord’s first-team, you think this is enough.”
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