Arsenal are preparing a £9.3 million bid for former youth academy player Oğuzhan Özyakup according to the Milliyet.
The report claims that Arsenal scouts have been impressed with the Beşiktaş star and that an end of season move could be on the cards.
The Gunners may have to wait until the summer to prize Özyakup away from the Black Eagles but he revealed that he could leave should he win the league title with his current side.
“Arda Turan has opened up the doors to Europe for Turkish footballers I want to follow in his footsteps,” Özyakup said in a recent interview with Turkish newspaper Milliyet.
“However, first I want to win the Turkish Super Lig title with Besiktas.”
The Turkish international star spent four years at the Arsenal academy and played a key role in the Under-18s side that won the Premier Academy League title in 2009.
Özyakup became the first player of Turkish origin to captain the Dutch national side before switching allegiances to the Crescent Stars.
The 23-year-old central midfielder left the north London club for Beşiktaş in 2012 for a fee of €500,000.
Özyakup has five goals and six assists in all competitions for the Turkish Super League leaders this season.
See More
Barcelona Player Profile: Arda Turan – The Bearded Genius
Three reasons Arda Turan could be a success at Barcelona
