Arsenal transfer news: Gunners leading Premier League rivals in race for £125m Juventus, Turkey superstar Kenan Yildiz?

Arsenal are reportedly prepared to battle Tottenham Hotspur for the signature of Juventus star Kenan Yildiz next summer.

Mikel Arteta's side are known admirers of the 21-year-old, with Real Madrid also supposedly keen on securing the signature of the talented Turkey international ahead of the 2027 transfer windows.

The Gunners are back in Premier League action this weekend following an embarrassing result on Tuesday night, when League Two side Fleetwood Town knocked the English champions out of the EFL Cup.

With the Highbury contest finishing 1-1 after 90 minutes, the place in the quarter-finals was decided from the penalty spot, with summer arrival Bruno Guimaraes missing his effort in the shootout.

No strangers to an EFL Cup horrorshow, Manchester United are also reportedly 2026 watchers of Yildiz, who would no doubt have no motivation to join the Old Trafford club in its current state.

Arsenal leading Tottenham in Yildiz race?

According to German publication Wettfreunde, Juventus need to sell a player for at least £60m-£70m in the near future, with the Italian club looking to improve their worrying financial situation.

Yildiz is currently sidelined with a broken foot and should remain at the Old Lady for the remainder of the campaign, although the Serie A side could sanction the youngster's exit next summer.

It is understood that Juventus would demand £125m for Yildiz - a fee which would make the Turkey star the most expensive player in Premier League history alongside Alexander Isak and Enzo Fernandez.

If the exit door opens up for the 21-year-old during 2027 summer window, it is believed that English champions Arsenal would lead the race for his signature ahead of North London rivals Tottenham.

Both the Gunners and Spurs were supposedly willing to offer £85m for Yildiz during the most recent trading point, however, the Old Lady opted to retain the talents of the 31-time international.

Juve preparing for Yildiz-less future

Arguably the star player for Juventus, Yildiz has a huge impact at Allianz Stadium, but the youngster is also a major asset that could be sold to alleviate the club's financial problems involving UEFA.

There is no doubt that the Old Lady have a successor for the 21-year-old in mind, with Bosnian talent Kerim Alajbegovic fast-tracked into the first-teams plans of the Italian benemoths.

It feels highly unlikely that Tottenham would be able to lure Yildiz to their section of North London next summer, leaving Arsenal as the clear favourites in the race for the former Bayern Munich prodigy.