Ajax make first move to sign Arsenal target

Imre Himmelbauer

• Updated: 9 Jan 2024 11:39 GMT
• 3 min read

Ajax are readying an official offer for Kerem Aktürkoglu, Turkish media report.

The Galatasaray attacker has been on the Amsterdam club's wish list for some time and was said to have been personally scouted at the beginning of last year by technical manager Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

The first contact with the 25-year-old winger's camp has reportedly already been made. The Amsterdam team are said to be planning to make an offer worth €15 million to Galatasaray.

This is reportedly not enough: technical director Okan Buruk reportedly wants to make a counteroffer of €20m and bonuses. Aktürkoglu will also receive a large salary provided he moves to the Johan Cruyff ArenA.

Arsenal also keen

The parties are expected to meet on Wednesday. Aktürkoglu has been playing for Galatasaray since the summer of 2020 when he was signed on a free transfer from Erzincanspor.

Since then, he has made 149 appearances for the Istanbul club, scoring 37 times and providing 38 assists. This season he has notched eight goals and as many assists in 30 matches.

However, Ajax are reportedly not the only side keen on securing his signature. Aktürkoglu's good performances have also seen the Turkish international appear on the radar of Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United.

The 25-year-old could offer very good cover at the Emirates. Though primarily a left-winger, Aktürkoglu can feature all across the frontline and would be a solid backup for Bukayo Saka on the right, Gabriel Martinelli on the left and perhaps even Gabriel Jesus centrally.

Yet, according to data from SciSports, the attacker would be an ideal replacement for Steven Bergwijn, who is also linked with a move to West Ham, at Ajax. At 25, Aktürkoglu also doesn't have the potential to become more than a rotation player at Arsenal, according to the data experts.