Report: Chelsea set to battle Arsenal in the race to sign Serie A forward

Premier League interest intensifies around Juventus talks

Kenan Yildiz has moved from promising talent to strategic dilemma, and according to Caught Offside, Chelsea and Arsenal are now firmly positioned at the front of the Premier League queue. What began as routine discussions in Turin has shifted tone, with Juventus facing what is described as an “increasingly delicate contract” situation that could shape both sporting and financial planning.

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The 20 year old Turkish international has been in talks with Juventus for weeks, but “progress has stalled,” with sources close to the agents industry informing CaughtOffside that the gap between expectation and offer remains significant. Yildiz is currently earning “in the region of €1.5–€1.7 million per year,” a figure his camp believe no longer reflects his standing.

Contract impasse sharpens market focus

Caught Offside report that Yildiz’s representatives are pushing for a rise to “around €6 million annually,” a demand Juventus have so far been unwilling to meet. That disparity has taken negotiations to a critical point and opened a window of opportunity for interested clubs.

On the pitch, the numbers explain the noise. The attacker has scored “six goals and provided six assist in 21 games in all competitions this season,” output that has elevated his profile across Europe and hardened his negotiating position.

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Chelsea positioning and prior approach

Chelsea’s interest is neither new nor speculative. They are “watching developments closely,” having already tested Juventus last summer with a bid “in the region of €70 million,” which was swiftly rejected. The Blues believe they are well placed, aided by the involvement of super agent Jorge Mendes, who manages Yildiz’s affairs and “maintains strong lines of communication with Stamford Bridge.”

Chelsea view Yildiz as “a long term attacking investment” aligned with their strategy of acquiring elite young talent with growth and resale potential. The contract deadlock has only reinforced that belief.

Arsenal contact and readiness to move

Arsenal, however, are equally active. Sources indicate the Gunners have been “in direct contact with Mendes” and are regarded as one of the most serious suitors. Mikel Arteta’s project, alongside Arsenal’s emphasis on technically gifted attackers, is said to appeal to Yildiz and his representatives.

While no official bid has been lodged, “multiple sources suggest Arsenal are prepared to move quickly” should Juventus fail to find resolution. As Pete O’Rourke of Football Insider put it, Yildiz is “one of the hottest” young properties in the game right now.

Our View – EPL Index Analysis

If you’re a Chelsea supporter, this report fits neatly into the club’s wider recruitment logic. The age profile, output and upside all align with recent strategy, and the prior €70 million bid suggests genuine conviction rather than opportunism. Fans will see Yildiz as a player who could grow into the system rather than arrive burdened by immediate expectation. There will be debate about price, but confidence in Chelsea’s positioning feels justified given Mendes’ involvement.

Arsenal supporters will view this through a slightly different lens. The appeal lies in fit. Yildiz’s technical quality and versatility resonate with Arteta’s attacking structure, and the sense that Arsenal are ready to move decisively if the door opens will be encouraging. Fans have long wanted the club to act early rather than react late.

For both sets of supporters, the key is clarity. Juventus’ hesitation has created opportunity. Whether Chelsea’s financial muscle or Arsenal’s sporting project proves more persuasive could define one of the winter window’s most intriguing battles.