Real Madrid hijack Chelsea’s next €100m signing as Xabi Alonso readies huge sacrifice

Robin Bairner

Updated: 25 Oct 2025 09:52 BST
4 min read

Enzo Maresca, Chelsea, Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid — © IMAGO

Chelsea face competition to sign Kenan Yildiz, with Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso ready to go to extreme lengths to snap up the Juventus attacker.

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Yildiz arrived at Juve in the summer of 2022 in a free transfer from Bayern Munich and has established himself as one of Igor Tudor’s key players, despite being only 20 years old.

There are many transfer rumours regarding the future of the Turkey international, with Chelsea expected to launch a bid worth €100 million in 2026.

Current ETV

Kenan Yıldız

F, M (L)

Juventus

Kenan Yıldız

F, M (L)

Juventus

ETV Range

€57.6M - €70.4M

Any hopes that the Stamford Bridge side had that they would have a free ride for the player have been obliterated by reports from Spain that indicate that Alonso wants Yildiz at the Bernabeu.

While the Spaniard is not quite willing to target the youngster at all costs – he stops only just short.

Real Madrid are willing to finance a €100m bid for Yildiz by selling any member of their squad, except for Kylian Mbappe, Fichajes reports.

Arsenal, Manchester United and Barcelona have also been linked with a move for the Turkey international but appear to be lagging Chelsea and Real Madrid in the chase.

Could Yildiz move spell the end of Vini Jr?

Alonso’s apparent willingness to sacrifice almost any player in his squad to capture the youngster will only increase the pressure on Vinicius Junior to sign a new deal. While Yildiz has operated as a No.10 at times this season, he is also capable of playing in the left-wing role that the Brazilian occupies.

With Vini out of contract in 2027, there are increasing rumours that Real Madrid are willing to sell him next summer, with a monumental bid from the Saudi Pro League rumoured.

Yildiz would be a logical replacement.

Juve working to block transfer

Juventus, meanwhile, are working to prevent the departure of Yildiz at all costs.

Fabrizio Romano has revealed that the Serie A giants are planning to offer their young gem a significant contract upgrade, despite the fact that he still has a four-year obligation to the Turin outfit.

Juve want to give Yildiz a significant pay rise now, aware that they are unable to compete financially with offers that would come from Chelsea, Real Madrid or another world-leading club.

Yildiz has seen his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) grow to €64m since arriving at Juventus, who will demand nearly twice that to allow him to leave.

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