Euro giants want apparently Olivier Giroud in part-exchange for 24-goal star striker
Arsenal have added Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun to their shortlist according to reports in Turkey.
Turkish newspaper Milliyet claim that the Gunners have been monitoring Tosun.
Per the source, Besiktas are aware of Arsenal interest in their star man and are planning to offer Tosun in a part-exchange deal for Olivier Giroud.
Tosun is coming off the back of a fantastic season, scoring 24 goals and providing four assists in all competitions for the Super Lig champions.
The rumour does however, appear to stem from a tweet first published by an Arsenal social media influencer @ata_memz.
The Twitter user wanted to carry out a social media experiment to demonstrate how easy it is for transfer rumours to spread across the platform.
@ata_memz proceeded to create a story involving Arsenal wanting to sign Tosun.
See More: Arsenal willing to sell Giroud when £50m striker deal is completed, West Ham face competition from Euro giants who can offer Champions League football
Arsenal to bid €20m for Besiktas prolific striker Cenk Tosun [Milliyet] pic.twitter.com/cP3VQqEhLl
— Man Like Memz (@Ata_Memz) June 11, 2017
Arsenal to offer €15m plus David Ospina to Besiktas for deadly striker Cenk Tosun [Hürriyet] pic.twitter.com/fsNbwVxEf6
— Man Like Memz (@Ata_Memz) June 11, 2017
Cenk Tosun “i have spoken to Mesut Ozil and he told me great things about London. We will see maybe in the future” #Arsenal pic.twitter.com/NyW3reW1hD
— Man Like Memz (@Ata_Memz) June 11, 2017
Welcome to #Arsenal Cenk Tosun #Cenk9 pic.twitter.com/6AcEI0v8Gl
— Man Like Memz (@Ata_Memz) June 11, 2017
The transfer rumour was soon picked up on Turkish twitter accounts and before long made it into the local press before being picked up by mainstream newspapers. The story was even covered in England via Football Whispers.
There has been no previous reports of Arsenal expressing an interest in Cenk Tosun.
Besiktas have prioritised signing a striker this window. Vincent Aboubakar and Demba Ba are set to return to their parent clubs following the end of their loan moves.
The Black Eagles must find a replacement and a source close to the club has revealed to Turkish-Football that Giroud is one of the strikers they have an eye on.
As far as Besiktas are aware there has however, been no interest from Arsenal in Tosun.
Perhaps that could change following the latest round of rumours. The 26-year-old Turkish international is actually a prolific forward who played a key role in Besiktas winning the league title for the second season running.
