Arsenal have now made enquiries into the transfer of Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz in January. So, here is everything we know about the Turkey gem on Mikel Arteta’s radar.
Reports by Turkish-Football cite Arsenal with an interest in securing a transfer from Juventus for Yildiz. The Gunners are keen to snap up attacking reinforcements for manager Arteta this winter. He feels the north London team are light upfront as they strive to take multiple titles.
Arteta can currently call on Gabriel Jesus and Eddie Nketiah as natural centre-forwards, with Kai Havertz and Leandro Trossard providing versatile depth. But Yildiz presents an appealing prospect having shown real potential since quitting Bayern Munich for Juventus in July 2022.
Arsenal are interested in Kenan Yildiz’s transfer from Juventus
Yildiz has caught Arteta’s attention after breaking through at the senior level at Juventus this season. The 18-year-old only made his first-team debut for boss Massimiliano Allegri during August. Yet Arsenal are interested in Yildiz’s transfer and have even launched their enquiries.
The Emirates Stadium outfit have made initial enquiries into Yildiz’s availability as they move early for a deal in January. Arsenal are still yet to submit a formal offer but have scouted him regularly this season. The Gunners are also not alone in admiring the Turkey wonderkid, too.
According to reports by Calciomercato.it, Yildiz is also a transfer target of Liverpool thanks to their new sporting director. Jorg Schmadtke has tracked the striker closely for several years and has now proposed a transfer to manager Jurgen Klopp, who is keen to add to his attack.
Juventus, as per Calciomercato.it, have already refused loan offers for Yildiz as they trust his potential greatly. The Bianconeri also extended his contract until June 2027 this August. But the Serie A side may consider offers for his permanent transfer depending on the bids made.
While Juventus see Yildiz as an untransferable player with great potential, their finances will test the Old Lady’s stance. Arsenal, then, can successfully beat Liverpool to Yildiz’s transfer with a tempting offer to Juventus. So, here is everything we know about Turkey talent, Yildiz.
Who is Arsenal target Kenan Yildiz?
Kenan Yildiz is a first-team player with Juventus after breaking into head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s senior squad this season. He earned a place in their first-team fold after one season in the Bianconeri’s academy. Juventus lured Yildiz out of Bayern Munich’s academy in 2022.
Juventus signed Yildiz for free after Bayern Munich refused to meet the forward’s demands for a new contract. He had been in Bavaria for the previous 10 years and held a key role for Der FCB’s academy. The attacker was almost always their captain and their best performer.
“Yildiz is a young, talented player who we would have liked to continue to accompany on his path,” Hasan Salihamidzic told Bild in July 2022. “However, we could not and did not want to meet his financial demands. Therefore, unfortunately, Yildiz will be leaving us.”
Bayern Munich nurtured Yildiz from the youth level through to their Under-19s after joining from SV Sallern Regensburg’s academy in 2012. But he never made a senior appearance for the Bavarian powerhouse. So, the sporting project that Juventus planned appealed to Yildiz.
“When it was clear that I wanted to move, [Bayern Munich’s former sports director] Hasan Salihamidzic and [squad planner] Marco Neppe contacted my management and made even more intensive efforts,” Yildiz told Bild this November.
“They really wanted to hold me. But it was time to move away from Munich, the best option was to move to Turin… When my advisors told me about Juventus, I was immediately excited. It was the right path from Bayern to Juventus, the move was my best decision.”
Where and when was Kenan Yildiz born?
Kenan Yildiz was born on May 4, 2005 in the Bavarian city of Regensburg, located in south-eastern Germany. He is the son of a German mother and a Turkish father but has elected to represent Turkey. The Juventus forward has never played in a Germany side at any age level.
He has received caps at the Under-17, U21 and senior levels for Turkey, though. Yildiz made his international debut in September 2021 aged 16 years and three months. He stepped up to the U21s in September 2022, as well, before making his senior debut this October at 18.
Vincenzo Montella handed Yildiz his senior Turkey bow against Croatia and also his first start against Germany in November. The attacker even scored against Die Mannschaft to help to a 3-2 win in Germany. He bagged Turkey’s second goal in their friendly at the Olympiastadion.
What position does Kenan Yildiz play?
Kenan Yildiz traditionally plays in the position of a centre-forward but the striker can feature across the frontline. The Juventus gem Arsenal are now interested in singing can play on the left wing or the right-hand side of the attack as Yildiz is just as comfortable using either foot.
How good is Kenan Yildiz?
Arsenal are interested in the transfer of Kenan Yildiz having seen the forward show potential with Juventus and Turkey. He is proving to be a promising attacker with explosive speed and a robust physique. The striker has also shown great technique and versatility at a young age.
So, clubs including the Gunners are scouting Yildiz to keep tabs on his development as one of Juventus’ rising stars. Turkey U19 manager Soykan Basar even believes Yildiz is already showing he has superior technique than the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“Two years ago, many big clubs were interested in him,” Basar told A Spor in November, via quotes by Calciomercato. “Yildiz is more talented than Cristiano Ronaldo. His technique with the ball at his feet is superior to that of Portuguese.”
According to A Spor, one team to show an interest in Yildiz is Fenerbahce after they targeted his transfer this summer. The Yellow Canaries spoke with Juventus but the Bianconeri issued a firm rebuttal. They had hoped the elegant attacker would face an uncertain future in Turin.
Kenan Yildiz’s stats at Juventus
Arsenal are showing an interest in Kenan Yildiz’s transfer following only a clutch of first-team games for Juventus and Turkey. The forward has received three senior caps to date with the Crescent Stars. He is also yet to reach double figures for his first-team appearances in Turin.
Primavera, Juventus: 31 appearances, 12 goals, 7 assists
Under-19, Juventus: 6 appearances, 3 goals, 0 assists
Next Gen, Juventus: 13 appearances, 1 goal, 1 assist
First-team, Juventus: 6 appearances, 0 goals, 0 assists
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