Arsenal: Caglar Soyuncu must be something special

Caglar Soyuncu has confirmed that Arsenal are interested in his services, stating that talks will take place in the near future. To be a worthwhile investment, however, he needs to be something special.

The summer transfer window is here. The rumour mill is whirring. Fans are hoping. And Arsenal, to their credit, seem to be working hard to highlight, negotiate with and ultimately acquire a vast array of targets. Indeed, this is the period of promise.

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The Gunners seem insistent to try and address the centre-half position. They are ostensibly set to sign Sokratis Papastathopoulos in the coming days in a £16 million deal and are reportedly working towards signing fellow Bundesliga central defender Caglar Soyuncu.

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While the former deal seems more likely at this point, Soyuncu has confirmed that Ivan Gazidis, Sven Mislintat and Unai Emery are interested in his services. Speaking with Turkish media, Soyuncu stated:

"“Arsenal are one of the most important clubs in England. I know they’re interested in me, but there’s nothing finalised yet about my transfer. After the national team camp, we’ll have talks.”"

It seems likely, then, that Soyuncu could be finding his way to north London this summer. Now, I know next to nothing about the young defender. I know that he is Turkish, I know he is 22 years of age, I know that he plays for Freiburg. That’s about it. I have never seen him play a minute of football. I am in absolutely no position to say whether he would be a good signing or not.

That said, the reported fee of £35 million for a 22-year-old defender who has never played at an especially high level — Freiburg finished in 15th in the Bundesliga this summer and he only just made his 10th cap on Monday night in an international friendly against Iran — is steep. Additionally, there is already a myriad of young defensive prospects in the squad.

Calum Chambers emerged as a key started towards the closing stages of last season with Laurent Koscielny suffering from an ailing Achilles; Konstantinos Mavropanos changed Wenger’s perspective of him in just four months, impressing greatly in two of the three league starts he received in the closing weeks; Rob Holding was superb in last season’s FA Cup final and has just signed a new long-term contract.

These three players’ performances deserve more playing time next season. But if Soyuncu is added to the mix, as is highly possible at this point, then it is difficult to see how they will get it, especially if Sokratis joins also. Soyuncu, then, to be a worthwhile investment must be special. He must be more than just another talented young player. He must be extraordinary.

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I, obviously, have no idea if he is or not. Sven Mislintat et al. will have a far clearer picture than I. But given the context of the signing, that is the expectation that he must reach. It is quite the bar.