Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool make phone calls to discuss £84m transfer target

Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have all made enquiries to sign Kenan Yildiz in recent weeks, with the forward dallying over a new contract at Juventus.

Yildiz further established himself as one of the most exciting young talents in Italy last term, after which he was named in the Serie A Team of the Season.

Playing in a more central role this season, the 20-year-old has picked up where he left off, racking up six goals and four assists in his opening 16 appearances of Juve’s top-flight campaign.

But while Yildiz’s magnificent performances have lit up Italian football, the youngster’s off-the-field situation has been the subject of intense speculation, with top clubs around Europe beginning to circle.

Juventus have been aware of growing interest from the Premier League’s elite for some time and there have been fears in Turin that Yildiz’s head could be turned should an exciting opportunity arise elsewhere.

It has meant that, until now, there has been next to no progress with regards to Yildiz’s contract negotiations. However, Juve have been panicked by the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool and Tuttosport report that ‘a yes is closer than ever’.

It’s claimed there have been ‘numerous phone calls’ arriving from major European clubs on a weekly basis and Yildiz’s outstanding form has only intensified the interest of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Real Madrid.

All three Premier League sides are said to have ‘monitored Yildiz repeatedly’ in recent months. Madrid boss Xabi Alonso, meanwhile, has recommended the player to club president Florentino Perez as an ideal addition for his squad.

Juventus have responded by making Yildiz a ‘huge offer’ and it’s thought the ‘top-notch’ salary increase – to €6million-a-season (£5.2m-a-season) – could convince the Turkey international to finally sign an extension.

Such an agreement would immediately make the £84m-rated Yildiz the joint-highest paid player in Juventus’ star-studded first-team squad, alongside centre-forward Jonathan David.

Pushed to try to find a resolution as quickly as possible as a result of Yildiz’s recent displays, Juve have pencilled in a new meeting with the player and his father, Engin, for January.

Yildiz’s current deal is due to expire in three-and-a-half years time and Juve’s hierarchy are hoping he will commit his future to 2031.

Juve head coach Luciano Spalletti has a good relationship with Yildiz and this could prove a decisive factor in convincing the attacker to extend his stay.

In a recent with Tuttosport, Yildiz suggested Juventus was the perfect environment for a young player like himself to cut their teeth.

‘Juventus, a paradise for youngsters? I think the Next Gen [Juve’s reserve team] is very important as it allows the youngest players to show their value and not suffer too much from the leap to the first team,’ he explained.

‘And it’s fantastic that the club has no qualms about focusing on guys like me or [Nicolo] Savona, [Samuel] Mbangula, [Vasilije] Adzic, [Jonas Jakob] Rouhi.

‘Then it’s up to us to make sure that the club is satisfied with a choice like this: here we have everything we need to succeed, it’s up to us to give our all and repay Juve for their trust.

‘We are a very united group and I get along very well with everyone. I wouldn’t say that I get along better with anyone in particular, but obviously being one of the youngest, I spend most of my time with team-mates my age.’

Back in October, Zinedine Zidane, widely considered to be among the greatest footballers of all time, picked out Yildiz as a player to keep an close eye on for the future.

‘I like him, he is a good player,’ the legendary ex-France, Juve and Real Madrid midfielder told Turkish outlet Fanatik.

‘He scores goals. He has quality. He still needs to improve and prove himself.’

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