Chelsea “do not seem to have completely given up” on signing Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz this summer, according to the Gazzetta Dello Sport.
The Italian newspaper claims Juve are hoping to tie down the Turkish international to a new contract, keeping him at the Serie A side until 2029.
However, the Blues have been persistent in their pursuit of Yildiz, to the extent that the Bianconeri have had to reiterate to the London club that he is one of their “untouchable” players who won’t be sold at any price.
New head coach Thiago Motta has already spoken out to say he is looking forward to working with the 19-year-old and he is clearly a big fan of the youngster.
What do Chelsea fans need to know about Yildiz?
The teenager was actually born in Germany, coming through the academies of SV Sallern, Regensburg and Bayern Munich before joining Juventus on a free transfer in the summer of 2022.
Yildiz made his senior debut against Udinese last August and he made 32 appearances in all competitions last season. At international level, the forward was handed his first cap against Croatia back in October before starting every game as Turkey made it to the quarter-finals of the European Championships.
One of Yildiz’s unique qualities is that he is both-footed, meaning that, as well as playing in his favoured no.10 role, he can also be deployed on both flanks. His profile has also led other Premier League teams, such as Arsenal, to take a keen interest in him.
The Blues want to sign a right-footed winger
Journalist Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Enzo Maresca’s side are hoping to make three more signings before the transfer window shuts next month. They want a goalkeeper, a striker and a winger (who is preferably right-footed).
Yildiz would fit the criteria for one of their target positions but it remains to be seen if Juve will be tempted to sell one of their prized gems.
