Arsenal offer Aksoy new contract to fend off Chelsea interest

Arsenal have offered highly-rated goalkeeper Yilmaz Aksoy a new contract after Chelsea showed a strong interest in the West London-born stopper.

The Blues’ interest derives from the end of season friendly played at the Emirates on May 25th when Aksoy, a replacement for Luke Chambers, pulled off several astonishing saves in the best game of his young career to date to thwart the South London outfit.

Chelsea hurriedly prepared a deal, but Liam Brady, the head of the Arsenal Academy, was having none of it and offered Aksoy a new, improved contract to stay at the club.

Aksoy, who previously played for Leyton Orient and Arsenal’s North London rivals Spurs, was reportedly unhappy at his lack of chances at the club. However, he now looks set to stay, although he will find himself behind both Chambers and new arrival Sean McDermott in the pecking order next season, with Reece Cook waiting in the wings.

Aksoy grew up in West London and moved to Orient at the tender age of eight. He was called up to the Turkish U-16 training camp in March but is currently third choice at that level. He has struck a chord with Oguzhan Ozyakup, the central-midfielder, and paid tribute to the Dutchman in a recent interview, saying:

Oğuzhan and I have a good friendship. I find him a really talented and skilful central-midfielder and he has two good feet and knows how to use them. We are already starting to see just how good he can be.

Aksoy, who hasn’t ruled out a move to Turkey at some point, certainly has a bright future ahead of him; although how much of it he spends at Arsenal remains to be seen.