Kenan Yildiz, Juventus’s teenage talent, has sparked a transfer tug-of-war, with Liverpool joining the likes of RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund in the chase according to Gazzetta dello Sport.
The latest report follows Turkish-Football reporting back in December that Arsenal are interested in Yilmaz.
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Since then Yilmaz has seen a meteoric rise and broken into the Juventus first team.
The Bianconeri are determined to hold onto their wonderkid but Gazzetta dello Sport suggests Yildiz’s future will be a Juventus saga throughout 2024.
They’ve already tied him down until 2027 and whispers hint at another contract reward at season’s end. Additionally, selling Mathias Soulé to a Premier League club could provide the financial ammunition to ward off suitors.
Liverpool, however, present a different challenge. Renowned for nurturing young talent, their interest isn’t driven by the prospect of a quick flip. They want Yildiz for their first team, and that’s where the road gets tricky.
At 18, Yildiz is unproven at the pinnacle. He needs a blistering second half of the season to justify a direct move to Liverpool’s first team. A loan wouldn’t be ideal for the Reds, either.
The report claims that Yildiz is worth €35-40m right now and that Juve wouldn’t even consider anything less.
The 18-year-old could see his value increase further if he continues with his current form and if he makes an impact in Euro 2024 for the Turkish national team.
Juventus, armed with financial reinforcements and contract incentives, will fight tooth and nail to keep their rising star.
The Yildiz transfer saga has all the makings of a long, intriguing battle.
Yildiz meanwhile, continues to go from strength to strength and has three goals in his last five games – all but one of which he has started.
