Arsenal’s pursuit of young talent continues, but their initial €3 million (£2.5m) bid for Adana Demirspor’s 16-year-old goalkeeper Deniz Eren Donmezer has been turned down. The teenage sensation has been making waves in the Turkish Super Lig, having debuted at just 15 and already featuring in 11 top-flight matches this season.
Former Adana Demirspor vice-president Metin Korkmaz confirmed that Arsenal’s offer included an arrangement for Donmezer to remain on loan at the club for another 18 months before moving to England.
However, both Adana Demirspor and Fenerbahce rejected their respective offers, with Korkmaz insisting they wouldn’t part ways with Donmezer for the sums currently on the table.
The young goalkeeper, already 6 ft 3 in tall, is also a target for Turkish giants Galatasaray and Fenerbahce. His contract runs until June 2026, meaning Adana Demirspor holds a strong negotiating position.
Jose Mourinho previously praised Donmezer’s composure under pressure after he played against Fenerbahce last season, commending Adana Demirspor’s coaching staff for trusting such a young goalkeeper in a high-stakes match.
With Arsenal eager to bolster their youth ranks, it remains to be seen whether they will return with an improved offer for the highly rated shot-stopper.