Arsenal eye a return for Oguzhan Özyakup
Arsenal are interested in bringing Oğuzhan Özyakup back to the Emirates, reports Turkish newspaper Fanatik.
The 23-year-old’s professional career started with Arsenal back in 2011, although he only made one appearance, in the League Cup. He was also named on the bench in both the Premier League and Champions League, but didn’t feature.
After failing to mount a serious stake for a first team spot, he was sold to Beşiktaş for £370,000 in June 2012.
His performances for Beşiktaş have caught the eye of clubs around Europe with Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Valencia and Newcastle all rumoured to be interested in the midfielder.
The £15 million-rated man has made over 80 appearances for Beşiktaş which have helped him break into the Turkey international squad, representing them from under-21 level to the first team.
Being born in Holland, he represented them at U17 and U19 level, despite being born to Turkish parents. However, in 2012, after making twenty-one appearances for Holland across a number of levels levels, he declared for Turkey.
He admitted the “tough decision” but felt he was Turkish.
Özyakup has been directly involved in five goals from seven appearances so far this season and Wenger has a fight on his hands to sign the highly-rated attacking midfielder.