Juventus draw firm line over Arsenal interest in Kenan Yıldız

Juventus have rejected Arsenal’s interest in Kenan Yıldız and regard the Turkey international as “untouchable”, meaning the London club could face a fee well above €100m (£86m) even to make the Italian club consider selling the 21-year-old.

Arsenal are prioritising the addition of a high-quality attacking player before the summer transfer window closes, with manager Mikel Arteta seeking a winger capable of improving the team and making a decisive impact.

However, Juventus are determined to keep Yıldız and do not appear willing to negotiate his departure, regardless of the size of any potential offer.

Arsenal had been prepared to pay about £80m for Morgan Rogers, but saw Chelsea complete a deal for the player worth £117m. That setback prompted the club to turn its attention to Vinicius Junior, particularly after the Brazilian rejected an offer to renew his contract with Real Madrid.

Arteta held direct discussions with Vinicius Junior’s representatives and the player seriously considered a move to Arsenal. His preference, though, remained staying at Real Madrid, and he ultimately signed a new six-year contract with the Spanish club.

With that option no longer available, Arsenal began examining alternatives and Yıldız quickly emerged as one of their leading targets. Italian media reports said the Premier League club had identified the Juventus forward as a major attacking signing they would like to complete before the transfer window closes.

Yıldız is viewed as a suitable alternative to Vinicius Junior because of his ability to operate on the left wing and his experience of playing as an attacking midfielder behind the striker. That versatility would offer Arteta additional tactical options.

According to an update published by TEAMtalk, Arsenal asked about the possibility of signing the Turkey international in June before renewing their interest more strongly in the current transfer period. Juventus have since made their position clear by rejecting Arsenal’s approach and insisting that Yıldız is not for sale.

The Italian club see Yıldız as one of the central figures in their long-term plans. Juventus want to build their team around the young player, who is regarded as one of the most talented and influential members of their squad.

Retaining him is also considered an important part of Juventus’ ambition to restore their status and return to challenging for major honours. The club strengthened its negotiating position in February by securing Yıldız on a new four-year contract.

That agreement means Arsenal would need to offer substantially more than €100m before Juventus would even consider, in principle, allowing the player to leave. The club’s stance reflects its view that Yıldız is not simply an asset who could be sold for a substantial profit, but a key foundation for its future project.

Arsenal have other options if they are unable to prise Yıldız away from Juventus. Those alternatives include Bradley Barcola, Nico Williams and Iliman Ndiaye.

The club has already contacted Barcola’s representatives in an attempt to beat Liverpool to the French player, with Liverpool also negotiating to sign him.

Paris Saint-Germain, however, are demanding a fee of as much as €150m (£128m) for Barcola, making that pursuit another potentially expensive route for Arsenal as Arteta looks to strengthen his attack.