Arsenal have been handed a boost in their pursuit of Ferdi Kadioglu with Borussia Dortmund now reportedly out of the race to sign the Turkey international this summer.
Dortmund had placed Kadioglu high on the list to replace Ian Maatsen, who spent the second-half of the campaign on loan at Signal Iduna Park. However, the asking price of around £21million to £25m from Fenerbahce is said to be too high, which is why Dortmund are stepping back from a transfer, according to Sky Germany.
That gives the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United a much better opportunity to land the 24-year-old should they decide to pursue on the interest and a make a move in the summer transfer window. The Gunners tabled an offer for Kadioglu, as per Turkish media, back in June but the defender wanted to finish his Euro 2024 campaign before even considering a move away from Fenerbahce.
Now, with Turkey not in the tournament after their defeat to Netherlands last weekend, the starting gun has been fired in the race to sign Kadioglu. He impressed at Euro 2024, playing every minute for Turkey before they were dumped out at the quarter-final stage, starring on the left side.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce boss Jose Mourinho is hoping to keep Kadioglu at the club after being appointed as their new manager earlier this summer. Speaking on the club’s stance in the transfer window, Fenerbahce sporting director Mario Branco said: “We managed to attract one of the biggest names in world football, the only coach in the world to have won all three European competitions. We know what profiles the coach wants. Thanks to our club president, we are in a position to attack the transfer market how Jose Mourinho requires.”
Kadioglu is not the Euro 2024 star the Gunners are looking at. Arsenal are interested in a move for Riccardo Calafiori, who impressed for Italy earlier in the tournament. Calafiori starred during the group stage but was suspended for the last 16 defeat against Switzerland.
