Arsenal are preparing a major summer move for Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz, with the club identifying the 21-year-old as a primary transfer target this window.
According to journalist Sacha Tavolieri, Arsenal have made Yildiz a “dream target” and are willing to spend around €100m, equivalent to £87m, to secure his signature from Turin.
Despite there being no immediate progress on the deal, amid Yildiz’s involvement at the World Cup, the Gunners are understood to have a concrete “plan” in place for the young forward.
Yildiz arrives at this juncture off the back of an outstanding 2025/26 campaign with Juventus, scoring ten goals and registering six assists in Serie A for Il Bianconeri.
The Turkish international even captained Juventus against Real Madrid earlier in the season, highlighting the remarkable level of responsibility placed on such young shoulders.
His compatriot and legendary former Turkey manager Fatih Terim has tipped Yildiz to become “one of the world’s best,” hailing him as “one of the best of the new generation.”
Those numbers compare favourably with Bukayo Saka, who managed seven goals and five assists in the Premier League last season despite being an untouchable figure under Mikel Arteta.
Yildiz also edged Saka in several key statistical categories, completing 2.2 dribbles per game compared to Saka’s average of 1.6, while posting a significantly better pass accuracy rate of 84% against Saka’s 77%.
In a creative sense, Yildiz created 15 big chances and averaged 2.1 key passes per game, nudging ahead of Saka’s 12 big chances created and 2.0 key passes per game.
The Juventus star also proved more clinical in front of goal, missing just three big chances all season, while Saka missed eight, despite both players sharing a goal conversion rate of 10%.
Arsenal’s interest in reinforcing the left flank has intensified following reports that Leandro Trossard has agreed terms with Turkish giants Besiktas ahead of a potential summer departure.
While the Gunners have been linked with Club Brugge winger Christos Tzolis as one option, the Yildiz pursuit suggests Arsenal are aiming considerably higher in the transfer market.
Yildiz, who can operate off the left or in a central attacking role, offers the versatility and game-changing quality that Arteta is seeking to elevate his forward line.
Turkey’s World Cup campaign did not begin smoothly, with a 2-0 defeat to Australia, but Yildiz’s individual form over the past season makes him one of Europe’s most coveted young attackers.
The question now is whether Arsenal can turn their admiration into a completed deal, and whether Yildiz is ready to take the next step by competing for the top spot in north London.