Juventus are determined to fend off Arsenal’s interest in Kenan Yildiz, unless the Gunners are prepared to pay in excess of €100million (£84m) for the forward this summer.
Yildiz further established himself as one of the most promising attacking talents in Italian football with a return of nine goals and eight assists in all competitions for Juve last season.
But there has been mounting speculation that Yildiz could be on his way out of the Allianz Stadium, with the 20-year-old attracting the attentions of a host of top European teams.
According to Italian outlet Tuttosport, Arsenal have shown the most concrete interest of those potential suitors and sent scouts to watch over Yildiz’s performances several times in recent months.
The report claims Yildiz finds himself at the top of Arsenal’s wishlist, alongside Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams, with the club’s new sporting director, Andrea Berta, keen to add greater firepower to Mikel Arteta’s attack.
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Arsenal are also working on a deal for renowned talent spotter, Matteo Tognozzi, who helped facilitate Yildiz’s move to Juve in 2022 – and it’s thought his presence in north London could be key in capturing the Turkey international.
However, Juve are said to be determined to shut down Arsenal’s advances and would only entertain offers in excess of €100million (£84m) for their sought-after No.10.
The Serie A giants ‘do not want to be caught unprepared’ and the club’s general manager, Damien Comolli, plans to enter into contract talks with Yidiz’s entourage in due course.
Yildiz’s current deal in Turin runs through to the summer of 2029.
Speaking to DAZN last month, Yildiz said he and the rest of Juventus’ squad were enjoying their time under new manager Igor Tudor.
‘He gave us energy, it was important for us,’ Yildiz said of the Croatian, who replaced Thiago Motta in the dugout back in March.
Since he arrived, we’ve been happy, we’ve been working hard,
‘I’m happy with this season, but I want to improve in everything. I’m always looking ahead.
‘The No.10 shirt doesn’t add any pressure. I play as usual and I’m happy to be wearing it.’
Mikel Arteta has made no secret of his desire to bring in attacking reinforcements this summer and last month told fans to expect a ‘big’ transfer window.
‘It’s going to be a big one and we are very excited about it,’ the Arsenal head coach told reporters.
‘When you are going to go again, we want to increase the depth of the squad and the quality and the skills that we need to go to the next step.
‘Every summer is big because it is an opportunity – and especially because of the number of players we have in the squad right now, that is necessary.
‘But it’s a big summer for many things because first of all we have to maintain the good foundations that we have and then obviously how can we improve and evolve the team.’
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