Arsenal are set to delve into one of their previous transfer targets to solve their midfield crisis in the summer transfer window.
According to Dutch outlet Ziggo Sport Voetbal, the Gunners are interested in signing Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu ahead of next season.
The Turkey international has been linked to the club in the past, with the Daily Mail reporting Arsenal were interested in signing him for £20m in 2019.
There is an extra incentive to sign him as he has close links to Robin van Persie, who Arsene Wenger signed from Feyenoord in 2004.
Kokcu played with Van Persie when the former Arsenal striker returned to his first-ever professional club for a short stint towards the end of his career.
Speaking to Elf Voetball, Kokcu spoke highly of Van Persie and was specific about his Arsenal days.
He said: “In the background he is very important for our team. I always looked up to him. Van Persie was a world-class player at Arsenal and also an international top player at Manchester United.
“Now he often gives me tips: That I should always be open, always think ahead, look around, I have to be playable and be able to help my fellow players.”
The Gunners will be in desperate need of a midfielder in the summer window, as Football.london understands that Roma are expected to make a fresh attempt to sign Granit Xhaka at the end of the season.
This will mean that Thomas Partey would be the only experienced midfielder in the team, as Mohamed Elneny’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
Albert Sambi Lokonga and Charlie Patino are the other midfielders at the club, however, they both need time to adapt to the Premier League, and they shouldn’t be burdened with such a huge responsibility.
A new midfielder will certainly be needed in the summer, and they could turn back to their five-year target in Kokcu, who the club have been monitoring since 2017, however, it would be a risky deal, as he is still pretty inexperienced at the age of 21.
But if Van Persie approves of the midfielder, then it is certainly a transfer that Edu should into, in greater depth.
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