OMG: Arsenal eye Ozyakup as Ozil replacements

OMG: Arsenal eye Ozyakup as Ozil replacements

Arsenal eye £10million transfer of Oguzhan Ozyakup as Mesut Ozil replacement

Arsenal are reportedly plotting to re-sign Turkey international Oguzhan Ozyakup, five years after selling him for just £400,000.

Ozyakup was offloaded to Besiktas in a 2012 transfer and has gone on to make almost 200 appearances for the Turkish giants. Turkish outlet Fotomac claim Arsenal now want to re-sign the midfielder as a replacement for Mesut Ozil.

Ozyakup came through Arsenal’s youth system after signing as a schoolboy, but failed to break into Arsene Wenger’s first team.

Ozil looks certain to depart the club this summer with his contract set to expire at the end of June. Manchester United have been heavily linked with Ozil, who could be shipped out of the Emirates in January.

Arsenal are weighing up cashing in on Ozil and are potentially open to January offers. Ozyakup has flourished at Besiktas, scoring 27 times and providing 44 assists in 195 appearances.

The 25-year-old is now valued at around £10million by his current club after five excellent years in Turkey.

Ozyakup has been particularly impressive in Besiktas’ brilliant Champions League campaign. The Turkish giants have three wins from four games and are yet to be beaten this season in Europe.

Ozyakup has been captaining Besiktas in Europe and has taken on the armband in most of their league games as well.

Arsenal believe they are in an excellent position over a potential deal with Ozyakup in the last year of his current deal. Besiktas want Ozyakup to stay and are in talks with the playmaker over a new and improved deal.

But, the lure of a return to the Emirates may be too much for Ozyakup to turn down.