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The deal is said to be ‘completed any minute’ as Arteta lines up next transfer target
Arsenal are ‘accelerating negotiations’ to beat Premier League and London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the signing of Baris Alper Yilmaz. The Gunners are hoping to build on their recent acquisition of Riccardo Calafiori as they reportedly seek to sign Real Sociedad’s Mikel Merino and Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres.
However, Yilmaz is now the next target Mikel Arteta is hoping to sign as the Spanish manager eyes up a suitable alternative to Bukayo Saka on the right wing.
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Yilmaz, 24, was a standout star for Galatasaray last season, picking up seven goals and contributing 12 assists in his 55 appearances across all competitions. The winger then took his impressive form with him to the European Championships in Germany, playing in all of Turkey’s matches that saw them reach the quarter-final.
His form subsequently caught the eye of the Premier League with Liverpool being linked earlier this summer as they viewed the Turkish star as a potential Mohamed Salah replacement. However, it is now the Gunners that appear to be winning the race with reports in Turkey, via Football365, claiming they are ‘accelerating negotiations’.
Tottenham and Brighton also appear to be interested in the attacker but the report notes: ‘It has been learned that negotiations with Premier League giant Arsenal have accelerated recently and the transfer could be completed at any moment.
“It has been reported that the final details regarding the transfer agreement are being discussed. Arsenal is expected to transfer Barış Alper Yılmaz, who are said to be paying 20 million Euros.”
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This €20m figure (£17m) is significantly less than reports earlier in the transfer window that indicated the Turkish club would be unwilling to part with their star winger for less than £25.5m. The president of Yilmaz’s former club Ankara Keciorengucu previously outlined what the Gunners would need to pay if they were to secure their ex-winger’s signature.
As reported on the Turkish news outlet Aksam in June, Sedat Tahiroglu said: “We have 20 percent of Baris Alper Yilmaz’s share but Galatasaray has not requested a meeting with us on the this issue. I hear Liverpool and Arsenal want him but I know Nuri Sahin definitely wants him (at Dortmund).
“I don't think the price will be €50 million (£42 million). He can be sold for around €30 million (£25 million). The path needs to be paved for young people for Turkish football. Hopefully, he will make the decision that is good for him. The money is not important. The important thing is for Baris Alper to go to a team where he will be successful because he will be the face of Turkey.”