Arsenal submit €50m plus Gabriel Jesus offer for €90m-rated ‘phenomenon’ tipped to win Ballon d’Or – report
According to a source in the Italian media, Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is trying to transfer Gabriel Jesus and raid Juventus for Kenan Yildiz, but the Gunners’ plan might not succeed.
Among other teams, Arsenal is keeping an eye on Yildiz, who is among the top young talents in Europe.
The north London club is rumoured to have developed feelings for the Juventus star as well, even though they have players like Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze to play as number 10.
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Yildiz, who has been playing as Juventus’ second striker this season, is a target for Arsenal, according to a September 20 Bianconera News report.
Arsenal has reportedly begun “preliminary talks” with Yildiz’s agents, according to a Spanish publication.
Arsenal has made the decision to go one step further and is preparing to make a sizable bid for Yildiz, according to Radio Radio in Italy.
Yildiz is valued by Juventus at €80–90 million (up to £78 million or $104.5 million), and Arsenal’s “concrete offer” for him includes cash and Gabriel Jesus.
For the 20-year-old, the Gunners’ offer of €50 million (£43.4 million, $58 million) to Juventus “is on the table.” The north London team is reportedly prepared to send Jesus to the Italian powerhouses as part of the deal.
According to sources who spoke to TEAMtalk, Jesus is valued at £30 million (€34.4 million, $40.4 million) by Arsenal.
Radio Radio has since added that the Premier League leaders think that the Brazil international striker and money will persuade Juventus to part with their valuable asset.
Due to competition from Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz, Jesus, who hasn’t played since sustaining an ACL injury in January, may find it difficult to break into Mikel Arteta’s starting lineup.
Jesus joined Arsenal from Manchester City in 2022 to help them win the Premier League, but in 96 games in all competitions, he has only managed 26 goals and 20 assists.
Jesus might be the striker Juventus needs to replace Dusan Vlahovic, whose contract expires at the end of the current campaign.
Juventus’ position over Kenan Yildiz’s sale to Arsenal
With two goals and four assists in eight games this season, Yildiz has been a standout for Juventus.
In 52 games across all competitions during the 2024–25 season, the Turkey international attacker who can also play as a left-winger scored 12 goals and provided nine assists.
Giuseppe Rossi, a former forward for Manchester United and Italy, has been incredibly impressed by Yildiz and has predicted that he will eventually win the Ballon d’Or.
On October 1, Rossi told TuttoMercatoWeb, “A super Yildiz.” With 100 Champions League appearances, the 20-year-old Turk plays like a 30-year-old and is a phenomenon who will eventually win a Ballon d’Or.
“I admire his ability to try a beautiful play for the team’s benefit, not just for the cheers.”
He is similar to the Lamine Yamal of the Bianconeri in terms of impact; Juventus is Yildiz plus ten others.
In a September article in La Gazzetta dello Sport, former England and Juventus manager Fabio Capello likened Yildiz to the great Alessandro Del Piero, writing: “For what he does when he plays, for the position he takes up and where he performs best.”
“Even though we are obviously discussing a different time period and a different setting, you can picture Del Piero on the pitch once more with the Turk. “
Alex possessed excellent skills, such as the ability to dribble, but he lacked Yildiz’s pace, both with and without the ball. Even when shooting from outside the box, they are equally proficient.
They both have the ability to strike with either foot, which is another quality we shouldn’t undervalue. Only players with that little something extra have the added value of being two-footed, both in Del Piero’s football and in today’s game.
While Yildiz currently seems better suited for dribbling and occasionally prefers to play more individually and individualised, Del Piero also has excellent vision.
Even though these are distinct eras and teams, they both exhibit the quality of “Juventinity.” Today’s Juventus has a symbolic player in Yildiz.
Juventus is aware of Yildiz’s skill, therefore it should come as no surprise that they have no intention of selling him, even though Arsenal is interested in the attacker.
Juventus has previously rejected Chelsea’s request for Yildiz; according to reliable journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Serie A superpower intends to offer him a new contract.
“I think it’s more of a pressing issue than a matter of urgency – because it’s already a very long contract – but above all, Juve’s desire to give Yildiz what he deserves financially, also to get ahead of the transfer window a little,” Romano stated on his YouTube channel on October 1. Romano’s contract expires in 2029.
In order to prevent surprises, there is sometimes a rush to renew contracts since they must be completed on time.
In this instance, I think Juventus wants to prevent itself from being in a position where Yildiz may accept a sizable offer from elsewhere and decide, “Okay, but my salary is low, I’d rather go somewhere else.”
“Yildiz has thus far demonstrated a deep love for Juventus, both via his performances and throughout the summer.
“I can guarantee you that Yildiz could have made the move to the Premier League at the beginning of the transfer window if he had desired to do so.
“The Premier League and Chelsea have always been very interested in Yildiz because he is a fantastic player, so it’s normal to see the big clubs’ attention.”
However, Juventus is positive and working on a renewal, as I mentioned earlier; they want to find a solution quickly to avoid any further temptation for a champion like Kenan Yildiz.
Journalist Graeme Bailey has repeated it, mentioning Yildiz’s interest from Manchester United and Liverpool. He told TBR: “Damien Comolli only arrived in the summer, but he made a big impact.”
“He successfully captured Jonathan David and Lois Openda, but he is focused on retaining their best players, and Yildiz is the most crucial of them all.
“Yildiz is working on a new contract, and if he signs, it will indicate that he is not on the market anytime soon.”
“He looks like a superstar, and Juventus knows that most of Europe’s top clubs would take him at the drop of a hat.”
