Arsenal's Premier League rivals in 'ongoing' negotiations for £30m Gunners' transfer target

Arsenal may have been handed blow in their pursuit of left-back Ferdi Kadioglu, with reports suggesting that their Premier League rivals Brighton and Hove Albion have ‘leap-frogged’ them in the race for the Turkish star’s signature.

Kadioglu, 24, has fast become one of the most important players in Fenerbahce’s squad with the Turkish side putting a price tag of £30m on him. He enjoyed a particularly impressive 2023/24 season before going on to be a stand-out figure for his nation as they reached the quarter-finals of the European Championships this summer.

His performances have therefore sparked a wide range of transfer interest and while the Gunners were reported to have been long term fans of the left-back, it now appears new Seagulls manager Fabian Hurzeler is keen to bring in even more new faces.

Manchester United had also been linked with a move for the defender but their priorities appear to remain in finding a new midfielder.

Brighton, however, are considered the favourites to prize Kadioglu away from Jose Mourinho’s side which comes as a huge blow to Mikel Arteta who had hoped to provide even more competition at left-back for Oleksandr Zinchenko.

According to transfer specialist and Sky Sports journalist Florian Plettenberg, negotiations to bring Kadioglu to the Amex Stadium are ‘ongoing’. Taking to X, Plettenberg wrote: “Been told that Brighton now really pushing to sign Ferdi Kadioglu. It’s a hot topic as manager Fabian Hurzeler really wants him. 24 y/o left-back now a top target for Brighton and Kadioglu wants the move. Negotiations ongoing. current price valuation €35m (£30m). Contract valid until 2026.”

Arsenal brought in Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori to the Emirates squad earlier this transfer window and their attentions have now turned to signing Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino to strengthen the midfield as well as securing an out-and-out striker to aid the goal-scoring pressure on Kai Havertz and Bukayo Saka.