Arsenal eye Kenan Yildiz after missing out on Vinicius Jr
Arsenal are exploring a deal for Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz in this transfer window after missing out on Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior, with Mikel Arteta especially keen on the 21-year-old Turkish international as he looks to upgrade the left side of attack.
Key Takeaways
- Arsenal are assessing whether a move for Kenan Yildiz is possible before the deadline, after Vinicius Junior stayed at Real Madrid.
- Arteta rates the Juventus attacker highly; Juventus are expected to demand a large fee, with reports citing upwards of £60m and a valuation around £85m.
- A Gabriel Martinelli swap has been floated, but any deal would need heavy negotiation and may slip to a later window.
- Separately, Arsenal have made a pre-contract offer to Georgian teenager Andria Bartishvili and agreed a £51m move for Ezri Konsa.
Why are Arsenal looking at Kenan Yildiz now?
According to The Independent, Arsenal are checking whether a deal for Kenan Yildiz can be done this window as Arteta finishes plans for Premier League and Champions League campaigns.
The left-sided attack has been a priority. Vinicius Junior was the ideal target, but his decision to remain at the Bernabeu forced a rethink. Some thought was given to waiting until January or next summer.
Metro reports the club had already identified Yildiz as a Vinicius alternative and had approached Juventus earlier, then returned to the idea after progressing defensive business.
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How much would Kenan Yildiz cost Arsenal?
The Independent says Juventus would be hard-line on a burgeoning talent and want upwards of £60m, while also weighing fan backlash. Metro, citing that reporting, puts Juventus' valuation of Yildiz around £85m.
Yildiz has made 131 appearances for Juventus and hit double figures in each of his last two seasons in Turin, Metro reports. At 21, he fits a shift back toward players who can still develop after recent prime-age buys.
One solution raised is Gabriel Martinelli going the other way, though that path would still need considerable negotiation. Metro adds Martinelli is said to favour another Premier League club if forced out, and has already rejected Galatasaray.
Could Arsenal wait, and what else are they chasing?
As with Bournemouth's Jan Kroupi, who remains a January option after injury ruled out a sooner move, thought has been given to waiting on Yildiz for a future window. Julian Alvarez was the main target after Vinicius, but interest cooled when he preferred to stay in Spain and join Barcelona; an opening could still appear late if Atletico stay unwilling to deal with Barca.
Meanwhile, BBC Sport reports Arsenal have made a pre-contract offer to Georgia Under-21 attacker Andria Bartishvili, with a view to a late-year arrival when his FC Kolkheti deal expires. Liverpool and Juventus are also credited with interest. Metro adds Arsenal have agreed a £51m deal for Aston Villa's Ezri Konsa, with a medical planned at the Emirates.
Whether Kenan Yildiz arrives now, in January, or later remains unresolved—but Arteta's interest is clear, and the fee and structure will decide if this window's biggest attacking twist lands in north London.