Arsenal receive major boost in the race to sign Serie A forward | OneFootball

Arsenal Given Major Boost in Pursuit of Kenan Yildiz

Arsenal’s long-standing admiration for Kenan Yildiz has been reignited after reports from Gazzetta Dello Sport revealed that Juventus have failed to reach an agreement over a contract extension with the Turkish starlet. The 20-year-old attacker, one of Serie A’s brightest young prospects, is reportedly at a standstill with Juve’s hierarchy, creating an opening that several European giants — including Arsenal, Chelsea, and Real Madrid — are prepared to exploit.

Contract Stalemate at Juventus

According to Gazzetta Dello Sport, “Juventus and Kenan Yildiz have not found an agreement: the renewal until 2030 has stalled and now the parties are reflecting.” The talks, led by CEO Damien Comolli and the player’s representatives, have broken down after months of negotiation. The report adds, “Dark grey smoke, tending more to black than white,” perfectly summing up the uncertainty surrounding the situation.

Photo IMAGO

Yildiz, who joined Juventus from Bayern Munich in 2022, is currently under contract until 2029 and earns around €1.7 million plus bonuses, placing him among the lower earners in the first-team squad. His camp, however, believes his growing influence — both on and off the pitch — warrants a pay rise closer to that of Juventus’ key players. “Yildiz was aiming for an agreement that would equate his economic status with his technical one,” the Italian outlet stated.

Arsenal Ready to Capitalise

For Arsenal, this development represents a significant opportunity. The North London side have monitored Yildiz closely for over a year, with scouts particularly impressed by his composure in tight spaces, creative intelligence, and versatility across the attacking line. A source close to the player reportedly indicated that “Chelsea had put 67 million on the plate last July and seem willing to challenge Real Madrid and Arsenal next summer.”

Arsenal’s recruitment strategy has consistently prioritised young, high-upside talent capable of adapting to Mikel Arteta’s positional play. The uncertainty at Juventus could present the Gunners with a realistic pathway to land one of Europe’s most promising forwards. With Juventus reluctant to meet Yildiz’s financial expectations, Arsenal’s well-structured wage model and clear sporting project could prove decisive.

Juventus Hoping for Intervention

Despite the current impasse, Gazzetta Dello Sport noted that “only John Elkann could be able to unlock the situation and the renewal of the playmaker.” The CEO of Exor, Juventus’ parent company, is said to hold Yildiz in high regard both for his talent and his commercial appeal. “Number ten, the best-selling Juventus jersey in stores and the smile most requested by sponsors,” the report added, emphasising the young forward’s marketability.

However, without Elkann’s direct intervention, Juventus risk seeing one of their crown jewels depart — and Arsenal appear ready to move swiftly should that happen.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

For Arsenal fans, this feels like the kind of opportunity that could define a summer transfer window. Yildiz is young, fearless, and technically polished — the sort of player who fits seamlessly into Arteta’s footballing blueprint. At 20, he has already shown maturity beyond his years, operating effectively as both a winger and central playmaker.

The fact Juventus have yet to agree terms, even with a contract running until 2029, will be viewed in North London as a sign of vulnerability. Arsenal’s hierarchy have demonstrated patience and precision in recruitment, but this might be a moment to act decisively. A fee in the region of £85–100 million may sound steep, yet in the current market, it represents fair value for a player with Yildiz’s trajectory.

Supporters will also recall that Arsenal’s project under Arteta has been a magnet for elite young talent, from Martin Ødegaard to Gabriel Martinelli. Yildiz, with his flair and confidence, could be the next piece in that evolution. If Juventus fail to mend fences soon, Arsenal’s interest could shift from curiosity to commitment very quickly.