Arsenal lead Manchester United in race for Oguzhan Ozyakup

Arsenal have emerged favourites to sign Besiktas midfielder Oguzhan Ozyakup this summer and are leading Manchester United in their pursuit. Ozyakup is also being targeted by Valencia in their bid to replace Andre Gomes, who has made his way to Barcelona this summer.

Spanish media outlet Deporte Valenciano reports that Besiktas would demand a €20m (£17m, $22m) fee for the midfielder, who has two years left on his current contract. The Turkey international spent four years at Arsenal in the youth level but failed to make the step up to the senior team before moving on to secure more game time.

Ozyakup is an attacking midfielder who generally plays behind the striker and is known for his ability to dribble past players and provide a killer final pass on a consistent basis. The midfielder scored nine goals and assisted seven for the Turkish club last season that brought him to the limelight. He is currently assessing options in England and Spain over a transfer.

United have already made three signings in the window and are on the verge of completing a world record deal for Paul Pogba. However, the Red Devils may look to pass on Juan Mata and Bastian Schweinsteiger, making space for one more addition to the squad. Meanwhile, the Gunners have been extremely quiet in the market thus far, making only one senior signing in the form of Granit Xhaka followed by two academy additions that include Rob Holding and Takuma Asano.

Arsene Wenger has revealed that he is in the market to sign a defender following the injury to Per Mertesacker, who is expected to be out for the foreseeable future after having surgery on his knee. However, it will be a difficult ask for the north London club, as warned by chief executive Ivan Gazidis, who revealed that the financial power of lower clubs has made it difficult to operate in the market.