Juventus Blocks Sale of Kenan Yildiz to Arsenal

The club’s owners have kept Yildiz to try to boost his market value through World Cup exposure while offering him a expanded leadership role.

Overview

On Friday, multiple Italian and English outlets reported that Juventus ownership intervened to stop a summer move for Kenan Yildiz to Arsenal.
Tuttosport says Juventus offered Yildiz a long-term sporting role that would keep his number 10 shirt and make him vice-captain as part of persuading him to stay.
Journalist Sacha Tavolieri has reported that Mikel Arteta views Yildiz as a 'dream' target and that Arsenal would be prepared to pay around €100 million, though those claims remain unconfirmed.
Independent valuations place Yildiz at about €133 million (CIES), and Juventus are said to hope that strong World Cup form would raise his price rather than sell now.
The move leaves Arsenal focusing on other left-sided attacking targets this summer and signals Juventus’ strategy to protect a high-value young asset despite having missed Champions League qualification.