Friday, May 26, 2023 at 3:05 PM• Wessel Antes

Arne Slot hopes that he can convince Feyenoord captain Orkun Kökçü to stay longer at the club. That says the 44-year-old head coach on Friday afternoon during the press conference of the Rotterdam club. The 22-year-old midfielder is still in De Kuip until mid-2025 and it is expected that Feyenoord will sell him for a large amount this summer. Slot really still hopes for a longer stay from Kökçü. “I will do everything I can to keep him.”

Slot thinks that playing Champions League football can help as a reason to continue playing in Rotterdam South for a year longer. “Orkun is a great player. Qualitatively speaking, it can handle a higher level, but as Feyenoord we will also be active in Europe at a higher level. So for him that is also a great opportunity and I will do everything I can to keep him.” The young captain can play his 175th (!) official match in Feyenoord’s main force against Vitesse on Sunday afternoon. However, there is no appearance in the Champions League yet.

Kökçü has built a close relationship with Slot since the summer of 2021. Under the Bergentheim coach, the Turkish international grew from a much-criticized youth player to a leader in the Stadium club. Slot is therefore full of praise for his pupil. “He is a player that I value a lot, as a person and as a player. But that doesn’t mean he can’t live without me. He has every right to compare his choices and if he makes a different choice, there will be a nice transfer fee.” According to Transfer market Kökçü is currently worth thirty million euros, but the Rotterdammers seem to be aiming for a considerably higher amount. The right foot, if he leaves, should become by far the most expensive outgoing transfer in club history.

Currently, that honor is still in the name of Luis Sinisterra, who left for Leeds United for 25 million euros last summer. Due to the poor performance of the English low-flyer this season, that amount will no longer increase through bonuses. Leeds had according 1908.nl need to finish in the top ten of the Premier League for the bonus to be activated, but are now in danger of being relegated to England’s second tier. Breaking Sinisterra’s transfer record seems very realistic for Kökçü, who has been dreaming for years to become the youth player who brings Feyenoord the most money. The captain is currently followed by top clubs from all over Europe.