Arsenal Transfer News: Manchester City Rumoured to Hijack Caglar Soyuncu Deal

Manchester City are reportedly ready to overtake Arsenal in the hunt to sign Freiburg defender Caglar Soyuncu this summer, and manager Pep Guardiola is said to be a big admirer. 

Turkish newspaper Milliyet (h/t Turkish-Football.com) reported Guardiola likes Soyuncu for his passing and ability to play the ball out from the back, not to mention talks are already said to have taken place between City and the German club.

Soyuncu, 21, joined Freiburg from Turkish side Altinordu in 2016, helping them climb back into Germany's first tier before impressing again this season as they look to steer clear of relegation.

This comes after Arsenal were said to have been the first Premier League outfit tracing the player, and Goal's Ronan Murphy gave some indication as to how much the player would cost:

City already added to their platoon of centre-backs in January, when they signed Aymeric Laporte, who arrived to accompany the likes of Vincent Kompany, Nicolas Otamendi and John Stones.

However, Soyuncu would represent more of a project than any of those options, although Emre Sarigul of Turkish Football highlighted he's already showing big promise:

Arsenal, in comparison, are in need of a player fitting his description. Per Mertesacker is set to join the club's coaching staff at the end of this season, while some fans may demand more than Rob Holding and Calum Chambers as back-up options.

Not only that, but broadcaster Ian Stafford suggested even Arsene Wenger's starting favourites aren't quite up to scratch:

The decision to move to Germany's top flight at such a young age appears to be paying dividends, offering Soyuncu a better opportunity to display his talents in a league that holds more sway than the Super Lig.

Soyuncu has made an average of 2.6 interceptions per game this season, per WhoScored.com—more than any other Freiburg player—and boasts an impressive pass completion of 81.5 percent.

The Turkey international looks to be grabbing the attention of several European giants as a potential star of tomorrow, and City appear adamant on beating Arsenal to add him to their crop of central defensive stars.