Chelsea to hijack Arsenal’s dream signing after failed £61m bid

The Blues are preparing to make another attempt to sign Kenan Yildiz after their previous bid for the Juventus forward was turned down during the summer, according to reports from Italy.

Yildiz, 20, ended last season with nine goals and eight assists across all competitions, cementing his status as one of the brightest young attackers in Italian football.

He has continued that form this season, already contributing two goals and four assists in his first eight appearances for Juventus, further boosting his growing profile.

Juventus officials have been open about their efforts to tie Yildiz down to a new contract, aiming to ward off interest from top European clubs targeting the Turkey international.

Arsenal have shown strong interest for a while and reportedly sent scouts to watch Yildiz during Juve’s goalless draw with AC Milan last Friday night.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Chelsea and Barcelona are also keen on Yildiz and ‘remain in the background’ as his sensitive contract talks with Juventus continue.

The outlet also reports that Juve’s general manager Damien Comolli rejected a bold €70million (£61m) offer from Chelsea for Yildiz in July – and the Blues are ‘ready to attack again’.

Negotiations over a new deal are said to be progressing ‘slower than expected’ and ‘the figures are far apart’ between the club and Yildiz’s representatives – although ‘optimism remains’ in Turin.

Yildiz’s current contract runs until 2029, and Juventus are pushing for their No.10 to extend it to 2030, with an option for an additional year.

Despite a ‘mutual desire’ to reach an agreement, Yildiz’s father and agent, Engin, is reportedly driving a hard bargain and challenging Juventus with high salary demands.

Yildiz is viewed as the ‘symbol of the new era’ at the club, and Juventus are willing to offer him a salary that ranks among the top five earners in the squad – behind only Dusan Vlahovic and Jonathan David.

Another report from Tuttosport during the summer claimed Juventus would only consider selling Yildiz if they received an offer exceeding €100m (£84m).

Yildiz was recently promoted to Juventus’ leadership group and wore the captain’s armband for the first time in the club’s 1-1 draw against Verona last month.

Following their win over Parma, Juventus manager Igor Tudor praised Yildiz’s mindset and commitment, expressing confidence in his potential to become a ‘truly top player’.

‘I was talking to the squad recently and I noticed that I never say anything to Yildiz in front of others because he always does what he’s supposed to do,’ he told DAZN.

‘We rarely say anything to him, whether it’s about his playing style or his behaviour.

‘The difference is that inner motivation you have to get there and do what you do, which has to be there every day.

‘Yildiz is proving he does that, and I hope he continues every day. He has all the attributes to become a truly top player.’