Arsenal saw a £2.5million bid for Deniz Donmezer rejected by Turkish club Adana Demirspor, according to the club’s former president Metin Korkmaz. The Gunners face strong competition from Galatasaray and Fenerbahce to land the goalkeeper.
Donmezer has emerged as one of Turkey’s brightest teenage talents. He has already made 12 senior appearances for his club despite his tender age.
Korkmaz claims that Arsenal made a £2.5m bid for the shot-stopper. The proposal would have seen Donmezer spend the next 18 months in Turkey before formally joining the Gunners. Post-Brexit immigration laws prevent Premier League clubs from signing players until they turn 18.
Galatasaray are said to have a ‘priority’ over Donmezer’s future. It is unclear whether Arsenal will make a fresh offer.
“All the big clubs in the Super Lig are interested in his transfer. We talked to Galatasaray about Deniz. They are keen on this transfer, they have a priority in the transfer, after which they can make a bid for Deniz and Maestro,” Korkmaz told Milliyet.
“Arsenal have sent an official offer. They offered €3m (£2.5m). According to this offer, they will pay the money, but Deniz will play with us on loan for a year and a half. Then he will join Arsenal.
“Fenerbahce, on the other hand, offered €3m for Maestro and Deniz. They also said, ‘Let Deniz play on loan for one and a half years and then come to us’. Unfortunately, we had to reject the offer of both clubs. We will never give Deniz for the proposed figures.”
Arsenal have had a quiet January transfer window despite suggestions that Mikel Arteta’s squad needs strengthening. The Gunners have struggled for goals from open play, instead relying on set-pieces.
Kai Havertz often seems more comfortable in an attacking midfield role, rather than as a No. 9. Striker Gabriel Jesus is set to spend a lengthy period on the sidelines with a serious knee injury.
Arsenal would benefit from signing a prolific centre-forward. However, deals for targets Alexander Isak, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres could be difficult to complete before the February 3 transfer deadline.
Wide-ranging reports claim that the north Londoners are hopeful of landing Norwegian talent Sverre Nypan from Rosenborg. Arsenal are expected to pay an initial £10m fee for the 18-year-old midfielder, plus add-ons.
