Arsenal have abandoned their plan to sign Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz and are targeting an alternative option, according to reports.
Mikel Arteta is looking to improve his attacking options in the summer transfer window after guiding the club to winning the Premier League title last season.
Yildiz was Juventus’ standout performer last season with 10 goals and six assists in Serie A and he won the division’s Rising Star award for the best player aged under 23.
Arsenal are specifically in the market to sign a new attacker to operate on their left wing and according to The Athletic, the Gunners have made an approach to Juventus over a potential deal for Yildiz.
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However, Juventus have informed Arsenal ‘in no uncertain terms’ that Yildiz is not for sale, meaning that the Gunners are now exploring other options.
Juventus have failed to qualify for next season’s Champions League after finishing sixth in Serie A and are now expected to sell at least one key player in order to compensate for the financial shortfall.
‘I am very happy at this club,’ Yildiz said when asked about his future last month.
‘We want to repay all the affection shown to us by these fans.’
Yildiz, meanwhile, is with Turkey’s squad in the United States ahead of their World Cup campaign this summer.
However, the 21-year-old is a doubt for Turkey’s opening game against Australia on June 14 due to a calf injury.
Turkey will also play Paraguay and co-hosts United States in Group D.
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