Arsenal to sit down for negotiations on arrival – Berta travels to edge things forward

Arsenal will sit down with Galatasaray to discuss a deal for Barış Alper Yılmaz in the summer transfer window.

Sabah report that the 25-year-old has ended up on Arsenal’s radar after scoring 12 goals and registering 13 assists this season.

Andrea Berta scouting mission

According to their information, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta recently attended the Fenerbahçe and watched the forward in person.

He was there to scout Barış Alper Yılmaz in person and ‘gave him a high rating’. That, it seems, has now encouraged the Gunners to step up their pursuit.

According to Sabah the Premier League leaders will sit down with Galatasaray at the end of the season to discuss a transfer. The Turkish side value the forward at €50m at this moment in time.

They, though, have to send 20% of any future to sale to the player’s former club, Keçiörengücü. Sabah report that they’re set to meet with Keçiörengücü in the coming days to discuss that clause.

That is, seemingly, being taken as a hint that a big transfer could be on the way. Galatasaray already rejected a €35m offer from Saudi Arabia at the beginning of the season.

Arsenal interest

Barış Alper Yılmaz is a left winger so would make an ideal addition to Arsenal’s squad. There are long-term doubts about Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard in that position.

Indeed, most would like to see the Gunners sign a player in that position this summer. But whether Yilmaz, who has never played outside of Türkiye, fits the bill is another question.

It’s easy to imagine Arsenal fans had more glamourous or high-profile names in mind for the position.

But Arsenal do appear to be keen. So much so that Andrea Berta has been in Türkiye on a personal scouting mission ahead of potential transfer talks. That’s been taken, at least over there, as a sign a more serious approach is on the way before too long.

Perhaps the Gunners are looking to get in ahead of the competition, with Chelsea already linked as well earlier this year.