Arsenal have identified Galatasaray starlet Sacha Boey as a key summer target as Mikel Arteta attempts to beat Liverpool to the defender’s signature, it has been claimed.
The Gunners are embroiled in a battle to lift the Premier League title this season after a busy January that saw them spend just under £50million as they welcomed three new faces to the Emirates. Planning for the next window is already underway and Arsenal are expected to compete with Liverpool for one of their next additions.
According to Turkish outlet Aksam, Galatasaray right-back Boey is at the top of the list. The north London side have Ben White and Takehiro Tomiyasu capable of playing in the position but it is thought that the young Frenchman, 22, could provide more competition.
Boey started his career with Ligue 1 side Rennes but made just 12 appearances before being allowed to join fellow French side Dijon on loan. He impressed during his temporary spell and earned a move to Turkey for a minor fee in the region of €1million (£880,000).
He put pen to paper on a four-year deal in Istanbul and made 19 appearances in his debut campaign. Boey has followed that up with 23 outings this term to help Galatasaray go six points clear at the top of the Turkish Super Lig.
Club president Dursun Ozbek confirmed earlier this year that he was not looking to sell Boey or any other key players in January, but he did not rule out a summer departure.
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“We do not intend to sell any players,” Ozbek told Sabah. “We have a very good squad, and we are fighting for the title. Besides Sacha Boey and [Danish centre-back] Victor Nelsson, there are offers for three or four more players because the squad is a very good squad.”
That is a stance that could well change in the summer should Galatasaray lift the title, although Arsenal are expected to face competition for the youngster’s services. Liverpool have reportedly scouted Boey in the past, whilst Premier League rivals Aston Villa, Crystal Palace and Newcastle have been credited with an interest.
The Gunners’ sporting director, Edu, recently confirmed that work for the upcoming summer transfer window is already underway.
“It’s already started [preparation for the summer], you know what’s happening [in] the market,” the Brazilian said. “Everybody’s working, everybody’s doing stuff, you have to plan ahead of people to be prepared, and when it gets to the summer, we are well-prepared.
“I was always comfortable when I go the transfer window, to make me feel really comfortable is [about] how I prepare myself and how we prepare ourselves as a club to face those challenges. [In] The Premier League, [there are] a lot of clubs, a lot of good managers. The competition’s hard but as soon as you prepare well again you feel comfortable.”
