Chelsea and Arsenal battling to sign £95m duo – Report | OneFootball

Chelsea and Arsenal locked in €110m battle for Barcelona and Juventus stars

London rivals target bold double swoop

Chelsea and Arsenal are preparing to go head-to-head once again, this time in pursuit of two of Europe’s brightest young prospects. According to TeamTalk, both clubs are eyeing an extraordinary €110m double deal involving Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado and Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, with negotiations expected to intensify in 2026.

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Casado, 22, enjoyed a breakthrough campaign under Hansi Flick at Barcelona, featuring 36 times across all competitions. His tireless energy, pressing intelligence and ability to transition play have made him one of Spain’s most promising young midfielders. Despite his development, TeamTalk reports that Barcelona are open to selling him to help balance their finances, with an asking price in the region of €30-35m.

Casado’s market value rising amid interest

Spanish outlet Fichajes claims that Casado’s availability has “generated a lot of interest in Europe”, with Chelsea and Arsenal both “preparing moves to sign him in January”. For Chelsea, the attraction is straightforward: injuries to Andrey Santos and Dario Essugo, alongside Romeo Lavia’s fitness struggles, have limited midfield depth. Moises Caicedo has impressed since his arrival, but as the report notes, “he cannot play every single game.”

Arsenal see Casado as an “ideal” addition who could provide competition for Martin Zubimendi, with Mikel Arteta believing he can help the fellow Spaniard evolve into an elite-level midfielder. Casado’s versatility in breaking lines and his tenacity without the ball make him an appealing option for both London clubs seeking to strengthen their long-term core.

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Barcelona’s confidence in younger options such as Marc Bernal and Gavi, once he recovers from his knee injury, has paved the way for Casado’s potential exit. “Casado could be sacrificed to raise funds,” one Spanish source suggested, highlighting the club’s delicate financial position.

Yildiz pursuit adds another layer to rivalry

In addition to Casado, both Premier League sides are reportedly circling Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz. According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea had a €68-70m offer rejected last summer but remain determined to revisit discussions next year. Arsenal, meanwhile, are said to be drawing up a “concrete offer” that could involve Gabriel Jesus moving in the opposite direction.

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Yildiz, 20, has been one of Serie A’s most exciting attacking talents, capable of operating as a second striker or wide forward. Juventus are attempting to renew his contract but may struggle to match the financial power of Premier League clubs. Should Yildiz seek an exit, the Italian giants are expected to demand a fee between €80m and €90m.

Together, Casado and Yildiz could command a combined outlay of between €110m and €125m, a significant investment even by Premier League standards. For both Chelsea and Arsenal, the battle for these emerging stars could shape the future direction of their respective squads.

Fit, ambition and identity

While the appeal of both players is obvious, their fit within either side’s current setup remains open to debate. Chelsea already have Cole Palmer excelling in the creative role Yildiz prefers, while Arsenal recently invested heavily in Eberechi Eze as their new No 10. Both London clubs would likely view Yildiz as a wide option initially, capable of adapting into more central areas over time.

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Casado, by contrast, fits seamlessly into the recruitment philosophy both teams share: youthful, technical, and tactically flexible. His arrival would provide balance, energy and defensive reliability to either midfield, making him arguably the more immediately impactful signing of the two.

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For Arsenal supporters, this report feels like an exciting yet complicated development. Casado could be an ideal understudy to Zubimendi and would strengthen Arteta’s long-term midfield vision. Fans would see him as a player with the intelligence and discipline to thrive under Arsenal’s structure. However, spending over €100m across two targets may seem extravagant, especially when other areas, such as full-back depth, still need attention.

For Chelsea supporters, optimism would be tempered by caution. The club has invested heavily in young players, and while both Casado and Yildiz fit the project, fans might question whether another expensive rebuild aligns with financial prudence. Some might argue they need stability, not another overhaul, even as others would welcome the ambition of pursuing elite European talent.

Ultimately, both sets of fans would view this potential double deal as symbolic of the clubs’ modern rivalry: bold, strategic and rooted in a desire to dominate future Premier League and European landscapes.