Arsenal transfer news
Kenan Yildiz to Arsenal: Arsenal step up the chase for Juventus star Kenan Yildiz
Kenan Yildiz to Arsenal: A formal enquiry has gone in. Arsenal aren’t messing around this summer, and frankly, it’s about time they made a serious move. With Turkey unceremoniously dumped out of the 2026 World Cup, the Gunners seized the moment to test the waters for Kenan Yıldız.
Freshening up the left flank is clearly priority number one at London Colney. Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard suddenly look a bit vulnerable regarding their long-term futures under Mikel Arteta. But prising the 21-year-old away from Turin won’t be cheap. The Serie A giants just handed the kid a contract extension running until June 2030. They want a minimum of €100 million before they even pick up the phone.
Unpacking the numbers and the tactical fit
Let’s talk raw output. Yıldız practically dragged a misfiring Juve attack through the mud last season. He finished the 2025-26 campaign as their outright top scorer across all competitions.
Here is what his season looked like on paper:
47 total appearances: A reliable, ever-present option.
11 goals and 9 assists: Top scorer status at a massive club.
Serie A impact: 10 goals and 6 assists in 33 league matches.
European nights: Scored once and set up three more in 10 Champions League outings.
Those domestic performances earned him the league’s Rising Star award for the best under-23 player. A proper talent.
Physically, the boy is a bit of a freak. Standing 1.88 metres tall, he boasts a rare blend of imposing size and technical grace. Usually deployed out wide on the left so he can chop inside onto his stronger right foot, his versatility means he is perfectly comfortable operating as a second striker or floating in the number ten space. Pundits love him. Analyst Ben Mattinson called him outright dangerous. Former Italy forward Giuseppe Rossi even tipped him as a future Ballon d’Or winner.
You can see why Arteta is obsessed. Back in June, Sacha Tavolieri reported that the Spanish boss views Yıldız as his absolute dream target.
Will it be easy?
Getting this deal over the line is going to be a slog. The Athletic reckons Arsenal already knocked on the door and were bluntly told the player isn’t for sale. That sort of hardline stance usually forces clubs to pack up and look elsewhere. Except, they haven’t entirely backed off. According to Turkish Football, contact was renewed just days after that disappointing World Cup group-stage exit.
Look at the wider market. Aston Villa reportedly slapped a massive £130 million valuation on Morgan Rogers. Dead in the water, that one. Trying to extract Bradley Barcola from PSG is a nightmare waiting to happen.
Read: Arteta very keen on transfer move for £60m Premier League star
Suddenly, coughing up a fee that could easily exceed £86 million for Yıldız makes a twisted sort of sense. Arsenal are entirely out of cheap alternatives.
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