Arsenal are reportedly considering a new approach for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz after their pursuit of Vinicius Junior fell through. The Premier League champions had been hoping to bring the Real Madrid star to north London, but Vinicius Jr instead chose to extend his contract with the Spanish giants this week, dealing a major blow to Mikel Arteta's transfer plans.
Arsenal's left-wing search continues
Despite already securing the £34 million signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge to bolster the left side of their attack, Arsenal remain in the market for another left-sided attacker. According to The Times, the Gunners are now weighing up a fresh move for Yildiz after failing with their initial enquiry earlier this summer.
Arsenal approached Juventus in June, but the Serie A club made it clear they do not want to sell the Turkey international. Juventus are in a strong negotiating position as Yildiz signed a new contract in February, which keeps him tied to the club until 2030.
Yildiz's rising profile
The 21-year-old made three appearances for Turkey at the World Cup this summer, though his preparations were disrupted by a calf injury. He has also been dealing with a knee problem that has hampered his return to pre-season. Despite these setbacks, Yildiz received Serie A's 'Rising Star' award for the best Under-23 player in the division last season, highlighting his potential.
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti praised the young winger this week, saying: 'He is a very important footballer for us. For this reason, we are carefully managing his playing time, trying to build a correct schedule and work path to have him at his best throughout the season. But the fact that he is no longer in pain, that he is smiling and free to express his football is what makes us most happy.'
Previous interest and price tag
Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester United all considered a move for Yildiz a year ago, but Juventus had demanded a €100m (£85.7m) transfer fee. That price tag could prove a stumbling block for Arsenal, who have already spent significant funds this summer. However, with Vinicius Jr off the table, the Gunners may be willing to test Juventus's resolve with a new bid.
The report from The Times suggests that Arsenal are now evaluating their options, and a fresh approach for Yildiz could be imminent. Whether Juventus will soften their stance remains to be seen, but the Italian club's insistence on keeping the player suggests any deal would require a record-breaking fee for Arsenal.
