Man Utd chase €100m Arsenal target as Michael Carrick's first signing

Cameron Smith
Cameron Smith
  • 13 Jan 2026 13:14 GMT
  • 5 min read
Michael Carrick, Man Utd
© IMAGO

Manchester United reportedly remain interested in signing Kenan Yildiz, despite the fact he is expected to sign a new contract at Juventus.

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The Turkey international has three-and-a-half years remaining on his current deal with the Turin giants, but he is seeking a significant pay rise to reflect his status as one of the best players in Serie A.

Current ETV
Player image Kenan Yıldız
Kenan Yıldız

F, M (L)

Juventus logo

Juventus

Kenan Yıldız
Kenan Yıldız

F, M (L)

Juventus

Juventus

€74M

ETV Range

€66.6M - €81.4M

Talks over a new contract have been ongoing for several months and while Yildiz is now expected to pen fresh terms at the Allianz Stadium, Juventus are yet to reach a full agreement with the 20-year-old.

Arsenal, Chelsea and Man Utd have all been linked with a €100 million move for the Turkey starlet in recent months, with a move to the Premier League mooted to be on the cards if he rejects the chance to extend his stay at Juventus.

However, Arsenal and Chelsea have seemingly given up hope of completing a deal for Yildiz, with the 20-year-old expected to agree a lucrative new deal with Luciano Spalletti’s side before the end of the 2025-26 season.

Despite this, Man Utd, who are set to appoint Michael Carrick as their new interim boss, are still keen to pursue a transfer for the forward as they look for a suitable replacement for Bruno Fernandes.

That is according to Italian publication Calciomercato, who claim that Yildiz is viewed as a leading candidate to replace Fernandes if the Portugal international opts to leave Old Trafford this year.

Man Utd reportedly want to sign Kenan Yildiz
© IMAGO - Man Utd reportedly want to sign Kenan Yildiz

Man Utd chase Kenan Yildiz deal

Fernandes rejected the chance to join a club in the Saudi Pro League last summer, but several of his Man Utd team-mates reportedly believe that he will leave the Red Devils this year following the sacking of Ruben Amorim.

Yildiz therefore remains on Man Utd’s transfer radar and Juventus are reportedly aware they must finalise contract terms with the 20-year-old soon in order to ward off interest from the 13-time Premier League champions.

However, while Man Utd are reportedly interested in Yildiz as a potential successor to Fernandes, FootballTransfers understands that Chelsea superstar Cole Palmer has instead been earmarked as the club’s dream replacement for their Portuguese talisman.

The former Manchester City star is a boyhood Man Utd fan and sources have informed us that Chelsea could be tempted to offload him if they receive a mega offer this summer.

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