Euro 2024 star watched by Newcastle United, Arsenal and Borussia Dortmund ahead of £25m move

Newcastle United, Brighton and Hove Albion and Arsenal have been linked with a move for in-demand Fenerbahce star Ferdi Kadioglu after the Turkey international was hailed as one of the best players at Euro 2024.

The 24-year-old has made just under 200 appearances for the Super Lig giants since he joined them in a £1m move from Dutch side NEC Nijmegen during the summer of 2018. He also went on to help Fener claim the Turkish Cup in June 2023 as former Chelsea striker Michy Batshuayi scored twice in a 2-0 win against Istanbul Basaksehir. Kadioglu’s performances helped him establish himself as a key part of the Turkey squad over the last two years and he appeared in all three of their Euro 2024 group stage games and their 2-1 win in a round-of-16 class with Austria in midweek.

That set up an intriguing quarter-final meeting with the Netherlands and the fixture provided an intriguing aspect for Kadioglu after he appeared for the Dutch at several national youth levels from Under-16 to Under-21. The versatile wing-back assessed the situation and revealed his pride over representing Turkey ahead of Saturday night’s game in Berlin.

Speaking in the pre-match press conference, he said: "It will be a very special game for my family, and I think that a lot of fans will be from the Turkish side and it will feel like a home game. If I compare myself to five years ago, I'm a totally different player, I played in a different position and also I was playing for the Netherlands. I made the decision two years ago to play for Turkey and I haven't regretted it once. I'm very proud to wear the Turkish national team jersey.”

Thoughts will now turn towards Kadioglu’s future after his side suffered a 2-1 defeat that ensured it was the Netherlands that will meet England in Wednesday night’s semi-final. CaughtOffside have claimed Newcastle and Arsenal were represented at the Olympiastadion on Saturday night and the Fenerbahce star is said to have been the focus of their attention throughout the game. However, Serie A club Napoli and Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are also said to have an interest in Kadioglu, with the latter believed to have considered the Turkey star as an alternative to Ian Maatsen after the Chelsea left-back joined Aston Villa. Brighton have reportedly had ‘some contact’ with Kadioglu’s representative - but it seems new Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho will have the final say on his future as he prepares for his first season in charge of the Turkish side.

Newcastle have already completed the signing of Nottingham Forest goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos and free agent duo John Ruddy and Lloyd Kelly. A permanent move for former loan star Lewis Hall has also been completed after certain criteria were met in the original agreement for the Cheslea youngster. The Magpies are believed to be keen to add a centre-back, winger and a forward to their squad before the summer transfer window comes to a close at the end of August.