Arsenal urged to sign league-leading captain as upgrade on regular starter who’s ‘on his last legs’

Arsenal have received support for their pursuit of Feyenoord midfielder Orkun Kokcu by one of the Eredivisie side’s former players.

Kokcu is enjoying a productive season as Feyenoord’s captain, since they currently sit top of the Eredivisie table and have a first-leg lead in the Europa League quarter-finals. At the age of 22, he is already showing strong leadership and technical qualities.

It has led to Arsenal recently being linked with a transfer for Kokcu. After all, they are in the market for a new central midfielder in the summer.

The current options available to Mikel Arteta there will all be in their thirties by the start of next season. Hence, Arsenal have been trying to find a talent they can develop in the role for the long term.

Earlier this month, Kokcu was named as a potential target for a transfer that might cost £30m or more. And now, former Feyenoord player Jan Boskamp has explained why Arsenal would be the ideal destination for him.

“If I could say it, I would send him to Arsenal. Why? Because there is a lot of footballing ability in that team and there are many young boys out there,” he told Koffie met Boskamp.

“And that Swiss, I think he is on his last legs.”

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Boskamp, of course, was referring to Granit Xhaka, in what appears to be quite a harsh claim. Indeed, the 30-year-old is experiencing arguably his best season in an Arsenal shirt.

However, Arsenal only have Xhaka under contract for another season unless they activate an option to extend his stay into 2025. Therefore, they will be thinking about their evolution in his role regardless.

In that regard, Kokcu could be a candidate to take over from Xhaka in years to come.

Arsenal target Kokcu has become ‘the big man’

Boskamp – who managed Stoke City during the 2005-06 season – explained how Kokcu has become a leader for Arne Slot’s side this season.

“You can see that he enforced it,” he explained. “He has become an extension of the trainer. You can see on the field that he has grown compared to last year.

“He takes the corners and the free kicks and if he chases through and others don’t participate, you see him shouting: ‘Hey, join us’. He didn’t do that a year and a half ago.

“Now he’s the big man in midfield.”

Whoever takes Kokcu next will be offering him the first transfer of his career after coming through the ranks at Feyenoord. His contract there is due to last until 2025.

This season, Feyenoord’s number 10 has played 40 times in all competitions. Along the way, he has scored 12 goals, also adding four assists.

Across his whole Feyenoord career, the Turkey international (who has 20 caps, two goals and three assists for his country) has amassed 169 appearances, contributing 32 goals and 26 assists.

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