Arsenal 'ready to pounce' if Juventus forced to sell £86m star

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Juventus may have to part with one of Europe's most coveted young attackers if they miss out on the Champions League again — and Arsenal are positioned to move.

According to Corriere dello Sport, the Italian giants could be forced into selling Kenan Yildiz should they fail to qualify for Europe's elite competition for a second consecutive season. The Gunners are said to be interested and ready to pounce if that scenario materialises.

Why a sale could be on the table

Juventus finished fifth in Serie A in the 2025/26 campaign, which landed them in the Europa League rather than the Champions League. The start to this season has been mixed — the Old Lady sit seventh with 10 points from their opening five matches, leaving another year outside the top competition a genuine possibility.

That outcome is believed to be the trigger for a sale. Yildiz still has more than three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, however, meaning any club that wants him would face a substantial fee.

Real Madrid are reported to be studying a summer raid on a deal worth around £86million, while Bayern Munich — the club Yildiz left in 2022 after a decade in their academy — are also among the interested parties.

A long-standing Arsenal link

This is not new ground for the north London side. Arsenal first considered a move for the Turkey international back in 2023, and the links resurfaced during the recent summer window before Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti shut them down.

"I experience it calmly because the player is Yildiz," Spalletti said on 23 August. "From my point of view, it's simple, they can offer whatever they want, I want to be able to field Yildiz next season."

He added: "Yildiz is a guy who is perfect to have mature conversations with. And consequently, he knows very well that he shouldn't rush anything, that he shouldn't speed anything up. His future is already important at Juventus."

The numbers explain the resistance. In four years in Turin, the 21-year-old has registered 27 goals and 21 assists across 132 appearances, establishing himself as arguably Juventus' most important player.

Fitness and timing

There is a complication in the short term. Yildiz has made just one appearance this season, having missed the last five matches across all competitions with a broken foot. There is currently no clarity on when he will return to action.

Any pursuit, then, would be a summer conversation rather than an immediate one — and it would hinge heavily on where Juventus finish in Serie A. With Real Madrid and Bayern circling and a reported £86million valuation attached, Arsenal would be entering a crowded and expensive race.

For now, attention turns back to domestic matters. Arsenal return from the international break on Saturday when they host Leeds United at the Emirates.