Mikel Arteta wants Arsenal to sign Feyernood 19-year-old Orkun Kokcu as a future Mesut Özil replacement, according to a report.

Mundo Deportivo report that Arsenal are in ‘pole position’ to win the race to sign Orkun Kokcu this summer. Mikel Arteta is searching for a player to replace Mesut Özil, and he sees Kokcu as an ideal candidate.

The report suggests Arsenal are willing to offer between €20m and €30m for the signing. They have competition, however, with Chelsea, Sevilla, Valencia and Real Betis all also in the running.

Previous reports claimed Kokcu already informed Feyenoord he wants to leave this summer. Charles Watts of Goal also confirmed Arsenal’s interest, adding that they probably would’ve been able to do the deal before the last few months happened.

At this point, I’ll believe the reports of bids in the tens of millions when I see the evidence. Arsenal are going to have just as much trouble with the financial implications of the current pandemic as anyone. Free transfers, swaps and loans are much more likely.

Mundo Deportivo do address the current economic restrictions, at least. They write that despite the financial situation resulting from the current pandemic, it’s still difficult to see Kokcu staying with his current club. We’ll see on that one.