Chelsea are poised to make a follow-up move for Kenan Yildiz after seeing an offer rejected for the Juventus forward in the summer, according to reports in Italy.
Yildiz, 20, finished last season with an impressive return of nine goals and eight assists in all competitions to establish himself as one of the most exciting attacking talents in Italian football.
This term, Yildiz has picked up where he left off, racking up two goals and four assists in his opening eight games for Juventus, to further enhance his burgeoning reputation.
Juventus bosses have made no secret of their attempts to secure Yildiz on a new and improved deal to fend off transfer interest overseas, with Europe’s elite beginning to circle for Turkey international.
Arsenal have been heavily linked for some time and reportedly had scouts in the stands to watch Yildiz play in Juve’s goalless draw with AC Milan last Friday night.
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According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea and Barcelona are also among Yildiz’s admirers and ‘remain in the background’ while the youngster’s delicate contract negotiations with Juve rumble on.
The report adds that Juve’s general manager Damien Comolli turned down an ambitious €70million (£61m) bid from Chelsea for Yildiz in July – and the Blues are ‘ready to attack again’.
It’s claimed talks over a proposed contract renewal are moving ‘slower than expected’ and ‘the figures are far apart’ between Juventus and Yildiz’s camp at this stage – but ‘optimism remains’ in Turin.
Yildiz’s current deal expires in 2029 and Juventus are pushing for their No.10 to commit his future until 2030, with the option of a further 12 months.
While there is said to be a ‘mutual desire’ to come to an agreement, Yildiz’s father and agent, Engin, is playing hardball and testing Juve’s resolve with significant wage demands.
Yildiz is seen as the ‘symbol of the new era’ at Juventus and the Serie A giants are prepared to offer the Turk wages worthy of a top-five player in the dressing room – behind only Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David.
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A separate report from Tuttosport in the summer suggested it would take an offer in excess of €100m (£84m) for Juventus to even consider the possibility of cashing in on Yildiz.
Yildiz was recently added to Juventus’ leadership group and wore the captain’s armband for the first time for the club’s 1-1 draw at Verona last month.
Speaking after his side’s win over Parma, Juve head coach Igor Tudor applauded Yildiz’s attitude both on and off the pitch and backed the youngster to become a ‘truly top player’.
‘I was talking to the squad recently and I noticed that I never say anything to Yildiz in front of others because he always does what he’s supposed to do,’ he told DAZN.
‘We rarely say anything to him, whether it’s about his playing style or his behaviour.
‘The difference is that inner motivation you have to get there and do what you do, which has to be there every day.
‘Yildiz is proving he does that, and I hope he continues every day. He has all the attributes to become a truly top player.’