Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu is set to stay despite heavy interest from Premier League clubs, most notably Arsenal and Manchester United.
The Turkish defender has been very impressive in Brendan Rodgers’ side since his move in the summer from Bundesliga club SC Freiburg for a small fee of £19m.
His performances for the Foxes has garnered the attention of top clubs who are struggling in defence themselves.
The 23-year-old has been so influential that he has helped contribute to Leicester’s great form in the Premier League by helping Rodgers’ team concede the least goals in the league with a third of the season already completed.
Soyuncu has started and played every minute for the Foxes in the Premier League thus far, which has also helped his stock rise.
The Turkish international was reportedly heavily touted by Arsenal in the summer transfer window but Freiburg demanded £30m for Soyuncu, a price tag that the Gunners hierarchy scoffed at.
With the Bundesliga outfit realising that they would have to cash in on the centre back, Leicester swooped in late in the window to secure the defender on a discounted price.
This led Unai Emery’s side to sign David Luiz for £9m from Chelsea as a short term replacement for Laurent Koscienly who departed unceremoniously from the club.
So far, it seems that Arsenal have been given the short stick as Luiz has failed to impress in the heart of defence despite his experience which is the opposite of how Soyuncu has fared.
Unlike Leicester, the Gunners have been terrible defensively this campaign. They are the only side in the top half of the table to have a negative goal difference.
In addition to that, Arsenal have the joint-worst defensive record in the top 12 alongside Chelsea, Tottenham and Brighton.
This has meant that Emery is now the favourite for the boot with the odds of him leaving the Emirates at 1/2.
Leicester’s fortune under Rodgers meanwhile is looking much more favourable as they currently occupy 2nd place in the league and look like they could secure Champions League football next season under the former Liverpool manager.
Soyuncu’s agent Mustafa Dogru as therefore quashed rumours of his client potentially moving on from the Foxes.
Dogru states that speculation around Soyuncu is normal considering his great performances but his focus is only on Leicester. As well as that, Dogru stated that Rodgers has played a key part in the young defender’s performances.
With the managerial position under Arsenal still under heavy scrutiny, it looks like a move in January will not materialise.