Chelsea have long admired Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, and a former teammate now playing for Nottingham Forest has commented on a potential move.
Despite the abundance of attacking talent currently on the books at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea would take 20-year-old Yildiz in a heartbeat.
Chelsea scouts have been watching Yildiz closely for the better part of a year now, seeing him as one of Europe’s most promising young talents.
Despite heavy interest from the Blues and other Premier League clubs, Yildiz wants to play for Juventus — at least for now.
But a defender who recently made the switch from Turin to England has given the Turk some food for thought with his recent comments.
Juventus FC v Wydad AC: Group G - FIFA Club World Cup 2025
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Forest defender Nicolo Savona recommends Premier League to Kenan Yildiz
Nicolo Savona arrived at the City Ground this summer, and despite three different managers overseeing his first few months at the club, he has taken to the Premier League quickly.
In a recent interview with Italian outlet Gazzetta, Savona was asked about his former teammate’s links to England, and whether he should entertain them.
He said: “I would recommend the Premier League to all the kids who love football, it would be difficult to say otherwise. So also to Kenan and any of his teammates.”
Yildiz seems content at Juventus right now, and even if he was to consider a move, Chelsea would no doubt have to fend off interest from other European giants.
Chelsea fans are pleading for the Blues to sign Yildiz, and if you watch him play, it’s clear to see why. He has all the technical ability and one-on-one ability to be a top wide player, but also the physicality and ball-striking of a top striker. He would be a scary addition to Enzo Maresca’s front line.
Perhaps Savona’s comments will cause him to rethink his decision to turn down a marquee move.
Any Yildiz purchase would mean one or multiple Chelsea exits
A fee of £86 million has been floated for Yildiz, a significant amount but a buy that would be worth every penny.
If he were to leave Juventus for Stamford Bridge, it would almost certainly spell the end for someone in the Chelsea squad.
Estevao already feels untouchable, and Yildiz is more accustomed to playing off the left anyway. Alejandro Garnacho and/or Jamie Gittens are the likely casualties, despite signing for the club mere months ago.
Chelsea Training Session Garnacho and Gittens
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Not only for the financial gain, but because Chelsea’s attacking options — don’t forget about Geovany Quenda’s imminent arrival — would be so plentiful.
A tradeoff with Garnacho or Gittens for an elite talent like Yildiz would not be turned down by any Chelsea fan. But for now, he’s remaining in Italy.