English powerhouse Arsenal have reportedly sent scouts to watch Beşiktaş playmaker Oğuzhan Özyakup, according to the British Express daily. Özyakup, 24, had left Arsenal for Beşiktaş in 2012 after he failed to make a breakthrough at Emirates. He has since become a successful player for Beşiktaş, winning two Super League titles and is currently the club captain. His talents have not gone unnoticed, the website Turkish-Football recently said that Arsenal are plotting a move to bring him back to north London.
It is said Gunners scouts have been monitoring the playmaker in recent weeks, which included Turkey's 3-0 World Cup qualifying defeat to Iceland on Friday. Özyakup has less than 10 months remaining on his current deal at the Vodafone Arena and could leave the club on a free transfer in the summer. He will also be able to negotiate with other clubs and even strike a deal over a pre-contract agreement in January. And Arsenal are apparently keen to capitalize on the uncertainty surrounding his future.
However, Arsene Wenger will reportedly have to stump up 20 million pounds ($26 million) if he wants to sign the Turkey international. Meanwhile, Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger conceded yesterday he may have no option but to sell star players Alexis Sanchez and Mesut Özil in the January transfer window. The pair are both out of contract at the end of the season and are yet to agree new deals. As things stand, they will be able to leave the Emirates Stadium for free, meaning January will be Arsenal's last opportunity to cash in on their two most high-profile players. Özil, meanwhile, is reported to have attracted interest from Manchester United, who are managed by his former Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho. Earlier this week, Özil's agent, Erkut Söüt, indicated talks with Arsenal were progressing positively, according to AFP.
