Arsenal transfer news: 19-year-old target Berkay Ozcan scores brace against Portugal U19s
Turkey U19s beat Portugal U19s 2-1 in the UEFA Under 19 Championship Elite Round on Saturday 25 March.
Stuttgart rising star Berkay Ozcan scored a brace in what was Turkey U19s first victory of the group stages.
See More: For Berkay Ozcan news and everything you want to know about the Stuttgart star
The win took Turkey into 3rd place on goal difference with Portugal and Croatia who also have three points after two games.
Ozcan put on a man of the match display and captained Turkey over the course of the 90 minutes.
Turkish-Football recently reported that Arsenal have been scouting Ozcan and monitored his display against Portugal.
Arsenal scout Jurgen Kost was recently reported that the North London outfit have been keeping close tabs on a young Turkish player in Germany.
“I have been scouting a Turkish kid in Germany, I watched him 2-3 weeks ago, he plays in central midfield,” Kost was quoted as saying by Turkish-Football.
“I won’t give his name yet but he is very talented and we are considering signing him.”
Ozcan does fit the profile of the player Kost was describing but he refused to give a name.
The 19-year-old’s agent Baris Yukselen recently confirmed Arsenal interest but underlined that his client is currently fully focused on Stuttgart.
London.Football quoted Yukselsen as saying: “Many top clubs are interested at Berkay.
“Arsenal has Berkay on its list, but at the moment he is focusing on Stuttgart’s resurgence.”
The Gunners could face competition from Besiktas who have also been monitoring the Stuttgart wonder-kid.
Ozcan was born in Germany and is of Turkish origin like Arsenal star Mesut Ozil.
Ozil picked Germany to play for at senior level while Ozcan represents Turkey.
Ethnic Turks born in Germany have the option to represent their country of birth or Turkey at international level.
Despite his young age Ozcan is a first team regular for the German outfit who are first in the Bundesliga II.
Ozcan is expected to captain Turkey against Croatia U19s on Tuesday in the third group stage game.
