Arsenal have ‘extensively scouted’ £86,000,000 star who Wojciech Szczesny thinks will be nominated for Ballon d’Or

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Arsenal are ready to step up their pursuit of a winger once the summer transfer window opens on Sunday, with Andrea Berta eager to bolster Mikel Arteta’s squad before pre-season commences.

While the Gunners’ priority acquisition is a striker, they’re also desperate to add a dynamic wide player who can compete with the likes of Leandro Trossard and Gabriel Martinelli.

Rodrygo has emerged as a target for Arsenal in the last few weeks, while the likes of Ademola Lookman, Rafael Leao and Jamie Gittens have also been mooted as potential options.

Meanwhile, Nico Williams remains Arteta’s preferred winger signing, although the Spaniard is reluctant to leave Spain.

Thus, Berta isn’t putting all his eggs in the Williams basket and is scouting several different players who could be available on the market.

• READ MORE: Three replacements for Gabriel Martinelli amid Barcelona transfer interest including ‘unstoppable 1v1 maverick’

Arsenal have ‘extensively scouted’ Kenan Yildiz

Arsenal have long been interested in signing Kenan Yildiz, and the reports linking the Turkey international with a move to the Emirates have now resurfaced.

Yildiz netted eight goals across all competitions for a poor Juventus side in 2024/25 and has been widely touted as one of the brightest young wingers in Europe.

Turkish Football claim that Arsenal have ‘extensively scouted’ Yildiz, and that Arteta is attracted to the 20-year-old’s versatility.

While predominantly deployed on the left, the German-born Turk can also be used as a number ten or a right-winger, with this flexibility appealing to the Gunners boss, who wants more depth across his forward line.

However, the report indicates that Juventus are not particularly keen on sanctioning Yildiz’s departure, as they view him as a key player for the future.

The youngster signed a new long-term contract last summer while inheriting the number ten shirt, and the Old Lady are subsequently only willing to accept offers in the region of €80-100 million (£68.5-£86 million).

A proposal in this range could seduce the Turin club, although Arsenal can expect competition from the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool for his signature, if it becomes clear that he could be available.

Should Arsenal sign Kenan Yildiz this summer?

Former Arsenal star and Juventus goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny bet Yildiz that he would be nominated for the Ballon d’Or within five years, back in April 2024 (via Football Italia).

This speaks to the forward’s quality, although given how Juventus have struggled domestically and on the continent in recent years, he may need to leave the Serie A giants to realise this potential.

A supremely talented and technical individual, Yildiz is an effective dribbler and ball carrier, who also retains possession well in advanced areas.

However, as shown by the data above, he still has a long way to go regarding his output in the final third, not creating enough for his teammates or garnering good quality shots from inside the box.

At the aforementioned price tag, Yildiz certainly wouldn’t be a smart acquisition for Arsenal.

However, if the Gunners are somehow able to land his services for significantly less than Juventus’ ambitious demands, then he’s well worth adding to Arteta’s ensemble.