However, Vinicius’ priority was always to stay at Madrid, and Los Blancos then increased their contract proposal to get him to stay.
The Gunners are stilling seeking a ‘major attacking signing’ this summer after targeting Vinicius Junior. They have now identified Kenan Yildiz as a concrete alternative to the Brazilian winger. Those developments have prompted Arsenal’s management to give ‘serious consideration’ to the ‘the Yildiz option’. He has now risen to the top of the Gunners’ wish list. Arsenal will need to work hard to convince Juventus into parting ways with the forward, though. The Italian side would require a proposal well exceeding €100m to even sit down at the negotiating table.
The Old Lady are demanding 'well above €100million' (£86m) to sell Yildiz, who has been at the Allianz Stadium since late 2023. Only an extraordinary, market-defying figure could change the situation and open the door to a potential move to the Premier League. It remains to be seen if Arsenal’s interest evolves into a concrete push to sign the 21-year-old.
Arteta may like Yildiz's versatility as he can play both on the left wing and as a number 10. At 21, he is one of the most exciting talents in European football and is tipped to become one of the world's best attackers.
Barcola will be even more costly than Yildiz though, as PSG have set his price tag at an eye-watering €150m (£129m).