Kenan Yildiz is a name for Liverpool fans to watch very closely in the transfer market across 2026.
The Juventus man has been in excellent form since cementing his place in the team last season, hitting six goals and five assists so far this term.
Given his status as a key player for Juve, the expectation had been that the Old Lady would sign him up to a fresh contract, warding off interest from across Europe.
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Liverpool have been heavily linked with Yildiz, but with Juventus so keen to get him signed up, it had felt like the Reds could be on a hiding to nothing.
However, the sad fact is that Juve are not the club they once were. The wages on offer to Yildiz at the Allianz Stadium could realistically be bettered in England or Spain.
And despite some scepticism that Yildiz could really leave Turin, journalist Fabrizio Romano has now given genuine hope to clubs like Liverpool that the 20-year-old’s future may not be quite so certain.
Kenan Yildiz of Juventus looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Juventus and Sporting Clube de Portugal at Juventus Stadium.
Photo by Stefano Guidi/Getty Images
Premier League clubs starting to move for Kenan Yildiz
As a goal scorer and a creator, Yildiz is one of the most exciting young players in Europe right now.
While there are potential question marks over where he could fit into the Liverpool squad, if he is available then he’s the kind of talent the Reds simply have to go for.
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And as Romano explained on his YouTube channel on Friday, there is a genuine possibility that Yildiz could leave Juventus, with the Premier League his most likely destination.
“As of now there is still no agreement for Kenan Yildiz to extend his contract,” says the transfer expert. “They remain in conversation but there is still a difference on the financial point of view. Juventus want to give him a better salary and avoid the arrival of big clubs.”
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“We had rumours on Barcelona recently, what I can tell you is that the real menace is coming from the Premier League.
“Top Premier League clubs are following and tracking Kenan Yildiz, keeping a close eye on Yildiz.
“It’s too early to mention names, this is not a deal for January, but this is going to be eventually a topic for the summer if Juventus cannot agree a contract with him. Premier League clubs are starting to move, make contacts and assess the situation.”
Liverpool could be genuinely in for Yildiz
There are certainly some question marks over how Arne Slot would find a way to fit Yildiz in amongst the rest of his attacking talents.
However, the Turkey international has played a lot of his football from the left-hand side of the attack.
After selling Luis Diaz in the summer, Slot has still not really settled on who is to be his long-term starting left winger. Yildiz could genuinely be that player.
Is Kenan Yildiz the answer to Liverpool’s troubles?
“Liverpool have known about Kenan Yildiz for an awful long time and they love him”
– Journalist Graeme Bailey
The transfer fee would be big, and if Juventus are not able to offer the wages he wants then it’s fair to assume he’ll be on a hefty salary too. But the upside is enormous.
If Liverpool do not make the move to sign Yildiz next summer, then it sounds as though one of their Premier League rivals will jump at the chance.
If Slot can work out a way to get him involved from a tactical standpoint, Liverpool should not wait around and let that happen. The time to strike is now.