Ferdi Kadioglu to Arsenal transfer links, player profile and analysis

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Arsenal are interested in signing Fenerbahce defender Ferdi Kadioglu as Edu and Mikel Arteta consider signings this month.

The Gunners are hoping to win the Premier League title this season but recent displays have been concerning.

Defeats to West Ham United and Fulham to end 2023 have left supporters concerned about the direction of Mikel Arteta’s side.

That may result in January transfers and HITC Football understands that Arsenal are interested in Fenerbahce ace Ferdi Kadioglu.

Sources indicate that Arsenal are attracted to Kadioglu due to his attacking ability, so let’s dig into the potential Gunners signing…

Ferdi Kadioglu, the story so far

Kadioglu actually hails from the Netherlands and was born in Arnhem to a Turkish father and Dutch-Canadian mother.

After playing locally in Arnhem, Kadioglu was picked up by NEC Nijmegen, just south of Arnhem.

Kadioglu spent 12 years in the NEC ranks and showed huge potential in the Dutch second tier, bagging 11 goals in 61 league outings.

Fenerbahce spotted Kadioglu’s potential and lured him to Turkey in 2018 with the 24-year-old now a vital first-team player.

Kadioglu has racked up nearly 200 appearances for Fenerbahce whilst featuring as a real utility man, playing at right back, left back, right midfield and left midfield.

That versatility may appeal to Arsenal and Kadioglu has produced 16 goals and 20 assists in a Fenerbahce shirt.

Kadioglu was a Dutch youth international but switched allegiance to Turkey in 2022 and now has 15 caps to his name, snubbing Canada in the process.

Ferdi Kadioglu player profile

• Age: 25
• Date of birth: 07/10/1999
• Position: Right back
• Club: Fenerbahce
• Former clubs: NEC Nijmegen
• Nationality: Turkish
• Contract: Until June 2026

Ferdi Kadioglu, what they say

“It is very interesting that some clubs want the number of foreign players to be reduced, and some clubs do the opposite. They want it to happen. In my opinion, it should be free. A good local player plays anyway. Today, for example, who can beat Ferdi Kadioglu, Kerem Aktürkoğlu, Mert Günok? Already quality local players play,” – Former Fenerbahce winger Mehmet Yozgatli.

“Ferdi always played as a midfielder while playing at the NEC Nijmegen academy. When he played for my under-19 team, he was the creative midfielder number 10. Ferdi was very talented and had good shots. He was also making good passes, had good technique and could score goals. This was his main position and he could also make us score goals. I’m very surprised that Ferdi is currently playing in the full-back positions. Ferdi, of course, can play there too because he plays great with the ball. He has probably improved and learned his defensive side in recent years. But he’s not a true defender off the ball,” – Former NEC youth coach Rene Koster.

“Ferdi’s high-level performance in Fenerbahçe is not a surprise to me, but it was a surprise for me that he played in the left-back position. Because for me, he was always a player who played more centrally and focused entirely on attack. I think he will be a great player. He is a football player who can play in many positions and fill the gaps there,” – Former NEC boss Peter Hyballa.

“Ferdi was a technical player who played as an attacking midfielder at NEC Nijmegen. He had very good technique and both feet were excellent. His only drawback was that he was physically small and not that strong. He was also having difficulty transitioning games. He soon started playing in the first team and became a regular main player. Ferdi’s performance in Fenerbahçe did not surprise me, but it seemed very strange to me that he played as a defender even though he was not very good. I think Ferdi can make his name known to big clubs by playing in European tournaments with the Turkish National Team. If he continues to improve himself, he can play in big clubs in Europe. Then he needs to be physically stronger than he is now. I compare Ferdi’s playing style to Achraf Hakimi,” – Former NEC coach Adrie Bogers.

“Ferdi is a quality and fantastic player. He plays on both wings. He is a very good player,” – Spartak Trnava boss Michal Gasparik.

Ferdi Kadioglu to Arsenal analysis

Kadioglu ticks many boxes for Arsenal.

The ability to play at both left back and right back has been strongly valued under Mikel Arteta with Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu fitting that bill.

Kadioglu has played in those positions on many occasions and his experience playing more centrally earlier in his career lends itself to the way in which Arteta inverts his full backs.

Whereas Oleksandr Zinchenko plays as more of a distributor in that role, Kadioglu has the speed and carrying ability to drive Arsenal up the pitch and pose a completely different threat.

Kadioglu still has untapped potential at 24 and if the price is reasonable, we could certainly back a move to the Emirates Stadium.