Arsenal’s search for a new left winger has taken them to Turin.
The Gunners are in the market for a wide attacking player this summer, with decisions still to be made on the futures of both Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard.
Both players are expected to be made available as Arsenal look to upgrade their attack, and finding a quality replacement on the left is one of Andrea Berta’s transfer priorities.
According to The Athletic, Arsenal made an enquiry about Juventus’ 21-year-old Turkish international Kenan Yildiz.
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However, Arsenal were informed in no uncertain terms that he is not for sale, and they are now pursuing other options as a result.
Kenan Yildiz would have been a great fit for Arsenal’s system
It is not hard to see why Mikel Arteta was keen on Yildiz.
The Juventus winger has been one of the most exciting young attackers in European football this season, contributing 17 goals and assists combined in 36 Serie A appearances.
A right-footed player who operates predominantly on the left, he likes to cut inside, create in the half-space and get shots off.
He is also a foul-winning machine, which would have been especially useful to one of the most feared teams from set-pieces in world football.
Yildiz will be familiar to many over the coming weeks, representing Turkey at the World Cup alongside Real Madrid’s Arda Guler.
He was joint-top scorer in qualifying with three goals, and Turkey will back themselves to advance from Group D, which also contains USA, Paraguay and Australia.
Where Arsenal go from here in their left wing search
Juventus’ refusal to sell Yildiz leaves Arsenal looking elsewhere.
16-year-old Jeremy Monga is also close to joining from Leicester City as a long-term project signing, but Arsenal will still need a more senior option to fill the gap left by any departures.
Morgan Rogers remains the primary target, though it’s unclear whether the Aston Villa star would be coming in as a wide player or a number 10.
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Rogers is understood to prefer a move to the Emirates above any other club.
As for Yildiz, that door is firmly shut, for now at least. But with the window still in its early stages, Berta will have alternatives ready.
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