Arsenal transfer target Oguzhan Ozyakup has confirmed that he is looking to be transferred to one of the top teams in Europe.
Inspired by the example of his compatriot Arda Turan, who finally became an official Barcelona player when the club’s ban on registering players was lifted at the beginning of January, Ozyakup is keen to move to one of the continent’s giants.
“Brother Arda has opened very important doors for us in Europe,” the midfielder told Milliyet [via Turkish source Karar]. “After having achieved great success with Besiktas, I’d also like to go to Europe’s biggest clubs like that.
“However, the success of Besiktas is the priority.”
The midfielder’s comments may well come as a boost to Arsenal, who have been heavily linked with a move to re-sign their former youth-team product in recent weeks.
Earlier this month, Fanatik revealed that the 23-year-old could well be set to move back to north London in 2016, but acknowledged that the move was more likely to come in the summer than in the January transfer window.
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Speaking to the Turkish source, Ozyakup—who could be an ideal replacement for the injured Francis Coquelin—confirmed that he would like to play in the Premier League again one day.
However—and perhaps of concern to Arsene Wenger’s transfer hopes—the midfielder has also dropped a hint that Real Madrid might be his ideal destination.
“My idol has always been (Zinedine) Zidane,” the midfielder told Milliyet [as before, via Karar]. “He was a great player!”