Arsenal made an offer for Oguzhan Özyakup in January, and want to re-sign their former player in the summer if Jack Wilshere leaves, according to reports in Turkey.

Gunes write that Arsenal bid €7m for the midfielder in January, but Besiktas wouldn’t settle for less than €12m.

As Özyakup’s contract expires at the end of the season, you can understand why Arsene Wenger might not be willing to pay that much for a player he could get for free in a few months.

Arsenal also have a 30% sell on clause in Özyakup’s current contract with Besiktas so realistically, the Super Lig club didn’t have much leverage to work with in January.

The Turkish report also claims Jack Wilshere wants to leave this summer. They say the 26-year-old “wants to continue his football life in Spain”, and give that as the reason for Arsenal’s interest in Özyakup. This, as we know, is not accurate.

Most of the stories circulating at the moment suggest the opposite. Wenger told the press that he’s “positive” about contract negotiations with Wilshere right now. Multiple reports suggest the England international is close to agreeing an extension.

I’m not sure why Wilshere would want to leave Arsenal (or England) anyway. He has a family here in England, a fanbase that loves him and a manager with faith in him. The only real sticking point I can see is his wages. Still, I’m not certain he’d earn much more in Spain.

If Arsenal’s move for Özyakup depends on the Hale End Academy graduate leaving, I wouldn’t get too excited.

The 25-year-old, who played for Arsenal’s reserves moved to Besiktas in 2012 for £450k.

This season, he has six assists in 26 games across all competitions.