Arsenal have made a move for Fenerbahce’s standout left-back, Ferdi Kadioglu, but it seems Brighton & Hove Albion have surged ahead in the race to secure the Turkish international’s signature. The 24-year-old has become a key player under José Mourinho at Fenerbahce, and the club has reportedly placed a hefty £30 million price tag on him.
Kadioglu’s stellar performances for Turkey at the European Championships have only heightened interest from top European clubs. Arsenal, keen to bolster their defense, especially at left-back, have already had a bid rejected as they seek to add competition for Oleksandr Zinchenko. Mikel Arteta is determined to strengthen his squad, but the competition is fierce.
Manchester United have also shown interest in Kadioglu, but their immediate focus lies on securing a new midfielder, which has allowed Brighton to take the lead in negotiations. Under new manager Fabian Hurzeler, Brighton has had an impressive start to the transfer window, securing the likes of Yankuba Minteh, Mats Wieffer, Ibrahim Osman, and Malick Junior Yalcouye. The Seagulls aren’t done yet, and Kadioglu is reportedly next on their shopping list.
Transfer journalist Florian Plettenberg reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Brighton is “pushing” to finalize a deal for Kadioglu, with negotiations progressing well. “Been told that Brighton now really pushing to sign Ferdi Kadioglu,” Plettenberg wrote. “It’s a hot topic as manager Fabian Hürzeler really wants him. 24 y/o left-back now a top target for Brighton, and Kadioglu wants the move. Negotiations ongoing. Current price valuation: €35m (approx. £30m). Contract valid until 2026.”
With Brighton now favorites to land Kadioglu, Arsenal may need to shift their focus to other targets. Arteta is reportedly more concentrated on strengthening other areas of the squad, particularly in the forward positions. The Gunners are eyeing a new center-forward to compete with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus, as Eddie Nketiah appears likely to depart.
According to David Ornstein, Arsenal is ready to offload Nketiah to Marseille, with a potential loan deal including an obligation to buy for around €30 million (£25.7m). While Marseille’s response remains to be seen, Everton is also closely monitoring Nketiah’s situation, possibly setting the stage for a late bid.
As the transfer window progresses, it will be interesting to see how Arsenal and Brighton’s pursuits play out, particularly with Kadioglu’s future hanging in the balance.
