Arsenal’s ongoing pursuit of strengthening their squad in the transfer window has led to speculation regarding several targets, one of the most notable being Fenerbahce’s left-back, Ferdi Kadioglu. According to the Turkish source Nutuk, Arsenal has already made their first move to acquire the 24-year-old, with an initial offer submitted to the Turkish club. Kadioglu’s name has been frequently mentioned in connection with Arsenal, raising eyebrows and excitement among the fanbase. Reports suggest that personal terms between the player and the Gunners have already been ironed out, indicating the player’s willingness to make the switch to North London.
The opening bid from Arsenal, as reported, stands at £17 million, a figure that reflects their assessment of the player’s market value. However, Arsenal is not the only European heavyweight in the race for Kadioglu’s signature. Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund has reportedly submitted a similar offer, underlining the player’s rising stock across the continent. Despite these bids, Fenerbahce appears reluctant to accept such figures. The Turkish club has made it clear that they value Kadioglu highly, setting a price tag of £30 million. Should this price be met, it would represent a record sale for a player leaving the Turkish Super Lig, demonstrating how much Fenerbahce views the young full-back as a prized asset.
Considering the current negotiations, it seems that Arsenal will need to raise their offer significantly if they are serious about acquiring Kadioglu. However, the situation is further complicated by Arsenal’s existing depth at left-back. The Gunners already boast a wealth of talent in this area, with Oleksandr Zinchenko often starting in the role, particularly in crucial matches like their recent clash with Bayer Leverkusen. Moreover, Arsenal has several other capable defenders who can fill the left-back position, including Riccardo Calafiori, Jakub Kiwior, and the versatile Jurrien Timber and Takehiro Tomiyasu. This crowded defensive lineup raises the question of whether Arsenal truly needs another player in this position, or if the interest in Kadioglu is more about future-proofing the squad.
Meanwhile, Kieran Tierney’s long-term absence due to a hamstring injury adds some uncertainty to Arsenal’s left-back situation. While the Scottish defender’s injury leaves a temporary gap, the club has enough depth to manage in the short term. Zinchenko’s consistency and tactical understanding of the role have made him a reliable choice for manager Mikel Arteta, and Timber’s ability to play across the backline provides further security. Given these circumstances, the likelihood of Arsenal escalating their pursuit of Kadioglu appears slim unless unforeseen injuries or transfers dramatically alter the squad’s dynamics.
On the other hand, the interest in Kadioglu could serve another purpose altogether. Some speculation points to the possibility that the player’s agent might be using Arsenal’s name to attract attention from other top European clubs. By linking Kadioglu with a high-profile club like Arsenal, his agent could be looking to pressure clubs like Borussia Dortmund into meeting Fenerbahce’s £30 million valuation. Such tactics are not uncommon in the transfer market, where agents often use the interest of multiple clubs to create a bidding war for their clients.
As Arsenal approaches the final stages of the transfer window, their focus may shift away from defensive reinforcements, with the club already well-stocked in that area. Instead, Arsenal might prioritize strengthening other areas of the squad, particularly the midfield and forward positions. One name that has emerged as a potential target is Mikel Merino from Real Sociedad, who would bring added depth and quality to Arsenal’s midfield options. Merino’s technical ability and experience could make him a valuable addition as Arsenal looks to challenge on multiple fronts this season.
Regarding the striker situation, Arsenal has been relatively quiet on that front. However, this could change if developments arise around Eddie Nketiah. The 25-year-old striker has reportedly drawn interest from Olympique Marseille, who have made a fresh bid to sign him. Nketiah, who has seen limited first-team opportunities at Arsenal, may be open to the move in search of more regular playing time. Should Nketiah leave the club, Arsenal might be forced to enter the market for a replacement forward before the transfer window slams shut. While no concrete links to new strikers have surfaced yet, this situation could evolve rapidly if Nketiah’s departure becomes imminent.