Chelsea have stopped trying to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo and are now focusing on Juventus attacking midfielder Kenan Yildiz. Earlier this week, the Blues asked about Semenyo, but they won’t try to sign him in January because the club thinks their current attacking options are good enough.
Yildiz has been great for Juventus this season, scoring six goals and setting up seven more in 22 games. The 20-year-old Turkish international has become an essential part of the Italian team’s attack since getting the famous number 10 shirt. In September, he broke Alessandro Del Piero’s long-standing record for the youngest Champions League scorer by finding the net against PSV Eindhoven.
Sources close to Chelsea say the club is ready to act quickly if a market opportunity comes up for Yildiz. He can play in different positions, technical security, and tactical intelligence that fit with manager Enzo Maresca’s ideas about positional play. He has shown that he can move between lines, drift wide, or attack central areas without disrupting the team’s structure at Juventus.
The young attacker’s profile fits the pattern that Chelsea has followed since they got new owners. Yildiz can play as an attacking midfielder or a winger, which Maresca prefers in his system. His ability to link up play and comfort in tight spaces could help Chelsea when they struggle to break through formidable defenses.
Reports say both sides are sending positive signals in talks to extend Yildiz’s contract with Juventus. Any move would likely require a lot of money, since he is becoming increasingly crucial to the Bianconeri.
Chelsea Move Away from the Pursuit of Semenyo
Chelsea pulled out of the Semenyo race after looking at how deep their attack was. Several Premier League teams were interested in the Bournemouth winger, but Manchester City was the most likely choice and is thought to be Semenyo’s current favorite.
Semenyo has scored eight goals in the Premier League this season. He also has a £65 million release clause that goes into effect on January 1. The clause says that the fee is £60 million plus £5 million in extras.
Chelsea’s management don’t see their withdrawal as a setback; instead, they’re projecting confidence in their current attacking players. The choice shows that they are thinking ahead and planning for the long term, not just reacting to new options.