Arsenal have reportedly completed the signing of a player compared to Zinedine Zidane, beating out Premier League rivals Liverpool and Chelsea in the race. The talented midfielder is set to arrive in January as Andrea Berta’s first official signing of the winter transfer window, according to reports from Quotidiano Sportivo. The deal is seen as a major coup for the Gunners, who continue to build a squad capable of challenging for major honors.
The North London club, fresh off an impressive summer window with eight arrivals, are not done strengthening yet. Arsenal had already boosted their attacking options with Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze, and Noni Madueke, but the hunt for a top-quality left winger remained unfinished business. Now, it seems the club’s focus has shifted toward Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, a player being hailed as the next big thing in European football.
Reports suggest that Arsenal are prepared to table an offer in the range of £74–78 million for the 20-year-old Turkish international. The move would not only add depth but also inject youthful creativity into Mikel Arteta’s frontline. Juventus, however, are in no rush to sell. The Italian giants are determined to extend Yildiz’s contract and have reportedly offered him a lucrative £4.3 million-per-year deal to keep him in Turin.
Despite the offer, Juventus may have to improve their terms if they want to convince Yildiz to stay. Arsenal’s interest could tempt the young attacker, who may view the Premier League as the perfect stage to elevate his career. With his versatility and technical brilliance, Yildiz is viewed as a potential long-term solution on the left flank — a role Arsenal have been eager to fill since last season.
The Turkish starlet enjoyed a breakthrough 2024/25 season, scoring 12 goals and providing nine assists in 52 appearances for Juventus. He has carried that form into the current campaign, already notching two goals and four assists in just eight games. His consistency and confidence on the ball have made him one of Europe’s most-watched young players, earning praise even from Zinedine Zidane, who recently called him a “good player with a great future.”
Yildiz is comfortable playing anywhere across the frontline but is most effective operating from the left wing, where he can cut inside onto his stronger foot. His style — elegant yet decisive — has drawn comparisons to Zidane himself, especially in the way he manipulates the ball in tight spaces. Yet, as talented as he is, there remains a question about how quickly he could adapt to the physical and fast-paced nature of the Premier League.
Some pundits believe that instead of chasing Yildiz, Arsenal should target Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, who has been one of the league’s breakout stars this season. The 25-year-old Ghanaian has already registered nine goal contributions in eight matches and possesses the pace, power, and experience needed to thrive under Arteta. Unlike Yildiz, Semenyo wouldn’t require an adjustment period, making him an instant-impact signing.
Bournemouth are known to be open to selling their key players for the right price. If Arsenal were to match the rumored £74 million valuation they plan to spend on Yildiz, the Cherries would likely allow Semenyo to leave. With Andrea Berta now overseeing transfers and a reported £350 million budget approved for January, Arsenal are poised for another statement window — one that could finally give Arteta all the tools he needs to mount a serious title challenge.
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