Arsenal have to prepare for the very real eventuality that Mesut Ozil leaves the club on a free transfer next summer with the German still seemingly unwilling to sign a contract extension with the Gunners.
To fill the creative midfielder void, the Gunners have reportedly sent scouts to watch one of their former youth players in action – Oguzhan Ozyakup.
Ozyakup joined the Arsenal academy in 2008 from AZ Alkmaar and he spent four years at Arsenal making just two senior appearances before completing a move to Turkish side Besiktas in 2012 for just £500,000.
The 24-year-old has established himself as one of the best creative midfielders outside of Europe’s top five leagues, scoring five goals and providing 10 assists in 40 appearances across all competitions last season.
Arsenal are believed to have had scouts watching the Turkey international during the international break ahead of making a January move for the playmaker.
With his contract up at the end of the season, the Gunners could move to strike a pre-contract agreement with Ozyakup from January.
