Arsenal explore swap deal bid to sign €100m attacker

20 Aug 2026 14:06 BST | 4 min read

Cameron Smith | Digital Content Producer

Accredited sports journalist covering football since 2020

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Arsenal are interested in signing Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz after missing out on Vinicius Junior and Morgan Rogers so far this summer.

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The 21-year-old registered 21 goal contributions in 47 games across all competitions for Juventus last summer and Arsenal are keen to bring him to north London before the end of the window as they look to build a squad capable of finally winning the Champions League.

Current ETV

Kenan Yıldız

F, M (L)

Juventus

Kenan Yıldız

F, M (L)

Juventus

ETV Range

€60.6M - €74.1M

The Independent have revealed that Arsenal are looking into a potential transfer for the Turkey forward, while TEAMtalk claim that Mikel Arteta’s side are ready to explore a swap deal involving Gabriel Martinelli and/or Gabriel Jesus, who were both omitted from the Gunners’ squad for their Community Shield win over Manchester City on Saturday.

It’s ascertained that if Juventus show “genuine interest” to sign Martinelli or Jesus, both of whom are admired by the Italian giants, then Arsenal will look to arrange a possible swap deal in a bid to bring Yildiz to the Emirates Stadium.

The Independent confirm that involving Martinelli in a transfer is a possibility, although talks over a deal are not yet advanced.

Bournemouth starlet Eli Junior Kroupi was also reportedly on Arsenal’s radar ahead of this summer, but he is currently sidelined with a serious foot injury and the Gunners have therefore decided against pursuing a possible deal.

Yildiz, who has previously been valued at over €100 million, has been linked with a move to Arsenal for several months and The Athletic have confirmed that he remains on their radar as Arteta looks to bolster his attacking options before the summer window shuts on 1 September.

Juventus, however, have no interest in selling the Turkey winger and with his current deal not due to expire until 2030, after he signed an extension in February, they remain in a strong negotiating position.

© IMAGO - Arsenal are interested in signing Kenan Yildiz

Will Gabriel Martinelli leave Arsenal?

Martinelli has emerged as an alternative target to Pedro Neto for Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal, as per transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, while several clubs in Europe are also eager to sign the 25-year-old.

However, FootballTransfers can confirm that Martinelli will not leave Arsenal before Deadline Day unless the club are able to sign a suitable replacement for the Brazil international.

Arsenal have spent €167.5m on Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis, Piero Hincapie and Illan Meslier so far this summer, and they are now on the verge of announcing the arrival of Ezri Konsa, having reached an agreement to sign the Aston Villa defender.