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The Vinicius Junior chase is officially over, and Arsenal fans can stop refreshing Twitter for that one. The Brazilian has signed a bumper new deal at Real Madrid, closing the door on what would have been the single biggest transfer in the club’s history, arguably in Premier League history, full stop.
It’s been a rough window for Arsenal on the left flank generally. Morgan Rogers went to Chelsea instead. Yan Diomande looked done and dusted until Real Madrid swooped in. And if Bradley Barcola does leave PSG this month, all signs point to Anfield, not the Emirates.
So Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are regrouping and according to reports out of Italy, they’ve landed on their next target in Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz.
Why Yildiz to Arsenal makes sense
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The 21-year-old is one of the most exciting attacking talents in Serie A, comfortable either out wide on the left or tucked in behind the striker. Last season he racked up 17 goal involvements (10 goals, seven assists) for Juventus, numbers that explain why he’s reportedly shot to the top of Arsenal’s wish list now that Vinicius is off the table.
Italian outlet Calciomercato is the source of the story, reporting that Arsenal have shifted their focus decisively onto the Turkey international after their pursuit of the Real Madrid winger fell apart.
The price tag problem
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Here’s the catch: Juventus have zero interest in selling their academy graduate and poster boy this window. He’s viewed as central to their rebuild, not makeweight for it.
That said, the reporting suggests there’s a number that would at least get Juve to the table and it’s a big one. An offer needs to comfortably clear the €100m mark (around £86m) before the Bianconeri would even entertain a conversation, let alone a sale.
Arsenal certainly have the financial muscle to get there if they choose to. Whether they’re willing to commit that kind of money to a player who isn’t a guaranteed starter-level replacement for what Vinicius would have brought is the real question hanging over this one.
For now, it’s a name to watch rather than a deal that’s close. But after a summer of near-misses out wide, Arsenal fans will take a genuine No. 1 target over another hijacked move.
Related Items:Juventus, Kenan Yildiz