Juventus rule out Kenan Yildiz sale as Arsenal face transfer dead end
Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has dismissed any possibility of Kenan Yildiz leaving the club this summer, delivering a firm rebuff to reported interest from Arsenal. Speaking ahead of Juventus's opening Serie A match against Frosinone, Spalletti made clear that the Turkish international will not be sold regardless of offers.
"I experience it calmly because the player is Yildiz," Spalletti said. "From my point of view, it's simple, they can offer whatever they want." He added that he intends to field Yildiz this season and described the player as someone who is not the type to force a move.
In a fuller statement, quoted by Metro, Spalletti elaborated: "I want to play him next season. And he's the perfect guy to have these discussions like an adult person, and as a result, he knows full well that he shouldn't rush anything. His future is already important at Juventus. It's not important because there's a club that can spend 100 million for him. He's already at the club that's offering 100 million for him."
Arsenal's interest and approach
Arsenal's interest in Yildiz has been reported for some time. After missing out on Vinicius Junior, who chose to sign a new contract with Real Madrid earlier in the summer, Arsenal have reportedly explored the possibility of signing Yildiz. According to Yardbarker, the club made an informal approach to Juventus for that season's transfer window, offering Gabriel Martinelli plus a cash payment for the Turkey international. The same report, citing the account HandofArsenal on X, said Yildiz remains a target for the club's hierarchy, who rate him as the profile they want on the left wing.
However, Juventus have repeatedly signalled that Yildiz is untouchable. Spalletti's comments confirm that stance, with the coach describing the player as central to the club's future. Yildiz wears the number 10 at Juventus and signed a new long-term contract earlier this year, tying him to a club that has been built around him, as Yardbarker notes.
Yildiz won Serie A's 'Rising Star' award as the best Under-23 player in the division last season, further highlighting his value to both club and potential suitors.
The transfer window closes in a week's time, but with Juventus's position so firm, any Arsenal move would require a dramatic change in stance from the Turin club. As Spalletti put it, "We're all very calm and eager, both ourselves and the player, to showcase the full potential of a potential football phenomenon. And so are the fans."
A season of anticipation
Spalletti's comments not only address the transfer speculation but also set the tone for the new season. Juventus's opening fixture against Frosinone provides an opportunity to begin the campaign under the expectation that Yildiz will be a central figure. The coach's insistence on the player's role suggests that any interest from elsewhere will be met with a firm refusal, leaving Arsenal to look elsewhere.
With the transfer window nearly shut and Juventus unwavering, the storyline appears to be closed for now: Yildiz stays in Turin, and Arsenal move on.