EXCLUSIVE: Unai Emery now wants to bring ‘dominant’ £40m Arsenal target to Aston Villa next season
Aston Villa are now emerging as one of the favourites to sign Feyenoord star Orkun Kokcu despite links to Arsenal.
That’s according to The Sunday Mirror (30/04, p74), who claim that Villa are trying to push to the front of the queue.
It’s stated that Kokcu has interest from clubs in Portugal, Italy and Spain – though Feyenoord want around £40million for their star captain.
The report adds that Kokcu has become very interested in Villa because of their form under Unai Emery.
Villa have dropped just four points in their last 10 Premier League games, catapulting themselves into Champions League contention.
That means potential signings are now increasingly interested in signing for Emery and Villa.
Kokcu is one such player and Villa are allegedly scouting Feyenoord regularly ahead of a possible summer bid
Villa are also watching Feyenoord teammate Santiago Gimenez with Emery now possible eyeing a double raid on the Eredivisie leaders.
Arsenal have wanted Orkun Kokcu for a long time
Emery may well love to sign Kokcu – especially as he has been eyed up by Arsenal.
The Daily Mail reported way back in 2020 that Arsenal were hoping to get a deal done for Kokcu before the European Championships.
Those plans were dented by the global pandemic and Kokcu ended up staying with Feyenoord.
Arsenal’s interest hasn’t ended though as The Sun claimed earlier in April that Arsenal have been following Kokcu for ‘some time’.
A talented midfielder, Kokcu has been playing in a deep role in Arne Slot’s 4-2-3-1 setup.
The 22-year-old – who serves as Feyenoord captain – has racked up 12 goals and five assists in a superb campaign this season.
Hailed as ‘dominant’ by Slot, Kokcu seems destined to go on to bigger and better things.
Arsenal may well still have one eye on Kokcu as they consider midfield additions, but their former boss Emery could throw a real spanner in the works.
