Surprise PL club set to make bid for player linked with Arsenal move - Reports
Brighton & Hove Albion are reportedly preparing a bid for Arsenal target Ferdi Kadioglu. The Turkish left-back has been with Fenerbahce since the 2018-19 season.
In 200 appearances across competitions, the 24-year-old has contributed 18 goals and 22 assists. That includes three goals and five assists in 51 outings across competitions last season, as his side finished three points behind winners Galatasaray in the league.
Despite being contracted to Fenerbahce till 2026, Kadioglu has attracted interest, especially from the Premier League. Caught Offside (via TBR) has reported that Brighton has joined the Gunners in the race for the Turkish left-back's services. The transfer fee is expected to be £25 million.
Kadioglu - who reached the Euro 2024 quarterfinals with Turkey - was widely reported to be heading to the Emirates this summer. However, with Mikel Arteta's side turning their focus to other targets like Riccardo Calafiori, Mikel Merino and Federico Chiesa, the left-back could head to Brighton instead.
The 24-year-old played every minute of all five games for his country in Germany, where they lost 2-1 to the Netherlands in the last eight.
What's next for Arsenal?
Arsenal commenced their pre-season with a 1-1 draw with Bournemouth at Heath Sports Park in Los Angeles before beating Manchester United 2-1 on Saturday (July 27) at the SoFi Stadium in LA.
Next up, Mikel Arteta's side take on Liverpool at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on July 31 to end their US tour. They return home to take on Bayer Leverkusen at the Emirates on August 7.
Four days later, the Gunners conclude their pre-season at home to French side Olympique Lyon. They begin their new Premier League campaign at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers on August 17.
Arteta's side finished runner-up to Manchester City in the last two seasons, having last won the competition in the 2003-04 season, going unbeaten in a memorable 'Invincibles' campaign under legendary boss Arsene Wenger.