Manchester United are preparing a shock €100m (£87m) bid to sign Juventus rising star Kenan Yildiz next year, according to reports in Spain.
The Old Trafford side have reportedly set their sights on the promising Turkey international, who has been in exceptional form for the Serie A club this season.
Ruben Amorim is believed to be looking to continue the rebuild of his attacking options and aims to bring further freshness and quality with Yildiz’s arrival.
A move in the region of £87m could make the 20-year-old United’s most expensive signing ever, potentially surpassing Paul Pogba’s arrival from Juventus in 2016.
Man Utd Eyeing Move for Kenan Yildiz
Kenan Yildiz
Kenan Yildiz
According to Spanish publication Fichajes, Yildiz has captivated United scouts with his maturity and brilliant performances in Serie A.
Juventus will be in a strong negotiating position if the Red Devils make a move for the 20-year-old, who is under contract until the summer of 2029 with the Bianconeri.
Yildiz, who joined Juventus’ youth ranks from Bayern Munich in the summer of 2022, made his first-team debut the following year and has been an important part of the squad since.
The Turkey international is the club’s top scorer in Serie A this season, with five goals in 14 appearances, and also ranks first in assists with four.
Only two Serie A players have more goal contributions than Yildiz this term – Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martinez (11) and Como rising star Nico Paz (10).
Yildiz’s promising performances in Italy have earned him comparisons to former Juventus and Man United striker Cristiano Ronaldo, with some even viewing him as a ‘future Ballon d’Or winner’.
United Set Sights on New Forward
Antoine Semenyo
Suggestions of United’s interest in Yildiz coincide with the club’s emerging plans to sign a new attacker next year.
As GIVEMESPORT reported previously, the Red Devils are also admirers of Bournemouth star Antoine Semenyo and could face competition from several Premier League clubs to land the 25-year-old in January.
United splashed out heavily on reinforcements up front this summer, welcoming Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko for close to £200m.
Sesko has been sidelined for the past month with a knee injury but returned this week, while Mbeumo has joined the Cameroon squad ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations.
Carlos Baleba ‘Top’ Transfer Target
Carlos Baleba during a Brighton & Hove Albion pre-match warm-up
Amid their plans to bring in a new attacker, United also remain keen on adding another midfielder, with Carlos Baleba remaining top of their shortlist ahead of January.
According to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Fabrizio Romano, the Red Devils still consider Baleba ahead of other options following their failed pursuit this summer, when Brighton priced them out of a move.