Arsenal’s £17m transfer could be scuppered by latest Chelsea decision despite Jose Mourinho plan

Arsenal's reported bid of £17m for Fenerbahce left-back Ferdi Kadioglu may not be seen as satisfactory, and Chelsea's latest Ian Maatsen decision won't have helped.

The Gunners have targeted Kadioglu in a bid to help strengthen their defence. No Arsenal full-back last season could secure that position for themselves in the team and it has since been identified as a key position that Mikel Arteta wants to strengthen.

Turkish media outlet Ajansspor has reported that Arsenal had submitted a bid of £17m as they try to secure a deal for Kadioglu. While Fenerbahce were hoping for close to double that, they could be forced to sell particularly to fund Jose Mourinho's summer plans.

However, it appears the North London club now have competition from Borussia Dortmund for Kadioglu. According to journalist Fabrizio Romano, Dortmund have switched their full focus to Arsenal's target after being priced out of a move for Chelsea defender Ian Maatsen.

Maatsen had spent last season on loan at Signal Iduna Park and Dortmund were hopeful of making his move to the Bundesliga permanent. But Chelsea have instead decided to accept Aston Villa's proposal, leaving the German club with fresh money to spend.

Thanks to the competition for Kadioglu's signature, it strengthens the negotiating position of Fenerbahce. Arsenal could now find themselves in a bidding war with Dortmund that would ultimately push up the price.

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The only winner in that scenario is Fenerbahce, so Arteta may now be thinking of alternatives to Kadioglu who could be targeted for less money if required.