Arsenal are ready to strike while the iron is hot as Mikel Arteta prioritizes attack in the summer transfer window to strengthen the Premier League title-winning squad
Mikel Arteta focuses on new players (Image: Getty)
Arsenal are free to sign Juventus playmaker Kenan Yildiz after Turkey were eliminated from the World Cup. Yildiz, 21, is reportedly a dream target for Mikel Arteta in the summer transfer window, with the Gunners manager looking to overhaul his attack ahead of the new season.
Gabriel Jesus, Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard are all in the final year of their contracts with Arsenal and could be sold. A new left winger is a target, with Yildiz joining Morgan Rogers, Bradley Barcola and Christos Tzoris on the shortlist for the Premier League champions.
The playmaker, who can play as both an attacking midfielder and a winger, has been a shining light for Juventus during a turbulent few years in Turin. Yildiz scored 14 goals and provided 10 assists last season, but failed to score a single goal after the March international break.
The former Bayern Munich star started Turkey’s World Cup campaign on the bench and slotted into Vincenzo Montella’s line-up for the next two games. However, they suffered consecutive losses and were eliminated after only two games.
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Now that the Turkish campaign is over, Yildiz can focus on his future at club level. Juventus face a battle to keep hold of the 21-year-old amid growing interest from across Europe.
According to reports from Belgium, Arsenal are willing to pay £86m for Yildiz. Arteta, who is known for favoring versatile players, added that he considers him a dream signing.
In February, he signed a new contract with Juventus that will keep him at the Allianz Stadium until 2030. However, with Juventus finishing in 6th place and missing out on Champions League qualification, he was forced to change his transfer plans, which could have an impact on Juventus’ future.
“We will have to sell one more player than we planned,” Damian Comolli told Italian outlet La Repubblica before stepping down as Juventus’ CEO earlier this month. When asked if it was possible that the player was Yildiz, Coach Comolli replied: “Of course not.”
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Kenan Yildiz will cost a significant amount of money (Image: Filippo Alfero – Juventus FC/Juventus FC via Getty Images)
Liverpool and Real Madrid could also challenge Arsenal to sign the Turkish international. Gunners co-chairman Josh Kroenke has already made it clear that he will not be quiet after winning the Premier League title.
“If you win something, the sun will rise the next day,” Kroenke explained. “You have to get back to work and there are a lot of teams looking to sign you, including some of the historically great teams in the Premier League.
“We’re going to try to get stronger because we know the team around us is going to get better. If we’re not continually trying to evolve and improve, we’re standing still.”
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