Arsenal set to sign Bundesliga defender Caglar Soyuncu ahead of Bayern
Posted Friday, May 04, 2018 by squawka.com
SC Freiburg defender Caglar Soyuncu could be set to join Arsenal in the summer according to Altinordu president Seyit Mehmet Ozkan.
Soyuncu, 21, has impressed this season in the Bundesliga after moving to Germany from Turkish second-tier side Altinordu in 2016 for a fee of €2.65 million.
Speaking at the International Football Economic Forum, as reported by Goal, Ozkan said: "Caglar Soyuncu is set to join Arsenal.
"Arsenal demanded his youth information from us. We'll earn from him if he joins Arsenal. Bayern Munich wants him too, but he's on the way to the Premier League."
A wanted man
Despite Bayern chasing his signature, Soyuncu's preference for a move to England should not come as a surprise.
Last year the 21-year-old revealed that coming to the Premier League was his dream, only he dreamt of playing under Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
"I admire Jose Mourinho, not just his football but his philosophy,' he said, as reported by Turkish Football, "I would like to work with him in the future."
A reported target identified by the Gunners' new Head of Recruitment, Sven Mislintat, Soyuncu would command a much larger fee than the German's first Arsenal signing, Konstantinos Mavropanos.
The £30m figure dwarfs the reported £1.8m paid for the Greek defender but could be a key acquisition as Arsenal look to repair a broken and declining defensive unit.
At 21 years old, the Turkish international has made more interceptions (62) than any other teammate this season whilst also winning an impressive 79.2% of his 53 attempted tackles.
Konstantinos Mavropanos' Premier League debut by numbers vs. Man Utd:
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) April 29, 2018
92% pass accuracy
49 touches
37 passes
4 clearances
3 interceptions
2 blocked shots
1 tackle won
0 fouls committed
Solid start. 🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/nr7CXCwzrx
Arsenal's current defence, however, will be looking to make up for a recent mistake as they play Atletico Madrid in the semi-final second leg of the Europa League on Thursday night.
Allowing Antoine Griezmann to grab a vital away goal at the Emirates, Arsene Wenger's side need to score at least once to keep their hopes of returning to the Champions League next season alive.
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