Arsenal remained ‘interested’ in Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu but could face competition from Tottenham.
That’s according to La Repubblica, who name the Premier League duo as potential competitors for Italian clubs keen on the Turkish midfielder.
Kokcu was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last summer, but Feyenoord resisted any interest and instead signed him up to a new five-year deal.
That appeared to have put an end to any discussions about his future but, after a disappointing campaign in which he has managed just two goals and two assists in the league, the situation has changed.
Several reports in the Netherlands have indicated that Feyenoord are open to a sale, and thus Arsenal’s interest has naturally been mentioned once more.
It was stated last month that they have the ‘necessary cash’ to make a deal happen, but since then, there have been no mentions about a possible deal.
La Repubblica pick up the mantle today and state that at the moment, Kokcu appears to be on his way to Italy this summer.
They say that his agent arrived in Italy this week, specifically Rome, where he met with Lazio sporting director Igli Tare to discuss a move.
He wasn’t the only one he met with, though, as he also held a meeting with Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero.
The newspaper explains that both clubs are keen on the midfielder as, despite his contract running until 2025, his people ‘think he can be transferred’.
They claim that he has a ‘high valuation’ of around €12m, and there are several suitors, including Arsenal and Tottenham, who ‘like him’.
Now there is no mention of the English pair making their moves or meeting any agents as yet, just that Kokcu is a player they could make a move for.
The interest from the Emirates is no surprise, given they were keen last year, but Tottenham’s is brand new. Indeed, they hadn’t been brought into it when other sides were mentioned earlier this year.
Any move from them is likely to depend on who arrives to replace Jose Mourinho, but Kokcu’s name is certainly one to keep an eye on like it was last summer.
