Report: Arsenal engage in new discussions with agents of £88m target as contract negotiations stall.
According to a report this week, Arsenal has initiated ‘new’ discussions with the agents of a Juventus player recommended to Real Madrid by Xabi Alonso.
Arsenal is set to face Brentford following a dramatic victory by Man City over Fulham.
Arsenal returns to the Emirates Stadium tonight, aiming to regain their winning form as they host Brentford in a crucial Premier League match, made even more significant by Man City’s thrilling 5-4 win against Fulham last night.
The Gunners have seen their lead at the top reduced to just two points after a frustrating 1-1 draw against Chelsea over the weekend, although Arsenal’s remarkable 17-game unbeaten streak remains intact since their early-season loss to Liverpool.
Mikel Arteta’s team controlled possession at Stamford Bridge but could only secure a point, despite Chelsea being reduced to ten men for a significant portion of the match.
Arsenal is facing a major injury dilemma with Gabriel Magalhaes out due to a thigh injury sustained while on international duty with Brazil.
Arteta recently suggested that he might be unavailable until 2026, while Kai Havertz is still recovering from a knee injury that has sidelined him since the opening weekend.
William Saliba is also uncertain after missing the trip to Chelsea, although Arteta has provided a seemingly optimistic update indicating that the French defender is just days away from making a return.
Off the field, sporting director Andrea Berta is reportedly continuing efforts to strengthen Arsenal’s squad, despite the club having spent nearly £270 million on eight significant signings during the summer.
Real Madrid’s Rodrygo is thought to be a target for Arsenal, with Berta perceiving an opportunity given the Brazilian’s increasingly precarious situation at the Bernabeu.
Ironically, Arsenal is also pursuing a player who Real could potentially use to replace Rodrygo, according to the Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport.
Arsenal has initiated ‘new’ discussions with Juventus star Kenan Yildiz.
Corriere reports that Alonso has personally suggested Juventus prodigy Kenan Yildiz as a target for Real, but they are now contending with strong competition from north London.
Juve is working to secure the 20-year-old with new terms to fend off interested parties, but these negotiations are still in progress, and there remains a considerable gap regarding Yildiz’s salary.
Yildiz is seeking nearly four times his current pay to align with top earners like Jonathan David, while the Old Lady has so far offered less than his expectations.
The forward is also looking for guarantees about his position and Juve’s strategy to achieve major trophies, so although his priority is to remain in Turin, discussions for a new contract are thought to have stalled for the time being.
Corriere indicates that Arsenal has made ‘new moves’ to negotiate terms with Yildiz’s agents, and Arteta’s team is reportedly ‘captivated’ by the Turkey international.
Unfortunately for Berta, other recent reports from Italy suggest that Juve is asking for around £88 million to part ways with their young star, which could necessitate a significant investment from Arsenal following an already substantial summer expenditure.
