Arsenal given transfer boost as £12m Roma offer rejected for target part of the Class of 92
Roma have made a £12 million [€14m] offer for Besiktas star Oguzhan Ozyakup according to reports in Turkey.
Fanatik report that Besiktas have rejected the bid and will accept nothing less than their £17 million [€20m] valuation.
Roma sporting director Monchi is a keen admirer of Ozyakup and also wanted him during his time in charge of La Liga giants Sevilla.
See More: Where are they now? Arsenal’s neglected class of 92, highly rated Wilshere & Ozyakup pursuing career elsewhere
“Sevilla tried to sign him last summer but Besiktas did not want him to leave, the door is however, still open,” Monchi told Estadio Deportivo.
Arsenal have also been closely linked with their former youth star.
Gunners scout scout Jurgen Kost confirmed the club are interested in Ozyakup returning.
Kost was quoted by Turkish-Football as saying: “Ozyakup is a player of the highest standard, we have been closely tracking his progress and when we do our next search for players in his position he could return to Arsenal.”
Goal also reported that Arsenal are interested in the 24-year-old earlier this month.
The Netherlands born Turkish international was part of the Arsenal class of 92 which also featured Jack Wilshere.
Ozyakup, Wilshere and Francis Coquelin were all part of the Arsenal side that lifted the Youth FA Cup in 2009.
Ozyakup has just over 12 months remaining on his contract.
Besiktas have offered their star man a new deal but he has yet to put pen-to-paper.
The central midfielder is on course to lifting his second consecutive Turkish League trophy and Besiktas are guaranteed Champions League football next season.
