Arsenal Transfer News Today: Real Madrid wonderkid raid as surprise medical booked

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FootballTransfers runs through the latest Arsenal transfer news, including updates on Kenan Yildiz and Toni Fruk.

Arsenal receive Yildiz contract update

Arsenal have been given an update on their highest-profile rumoured target ahead of the January transfer window, Juventus’ versatile attacker Kenan Yildiz.

Yildiz has nine goals and seven assists in 25 appearances across all competitions this season, which is one more goal involvement than he had in 48 matches last season.

The 20-year-old Turkiye international’s current contract expires in 2029, and his club’s sporting director Giorgio Chiellini does not seem rushed to get a new deal done.

“Kenan has a long contract with us; everything can't be resolved in a week. Our shared desire is to continue together; we know how important that is. We want to live up to his status,” he said (via Nicolo Schira).

Gunners target Real Madrid youngster after impressive debut

Injuries across Real Madrid’s back line meant that 19-year-old Victor Valdepenas had to start at left-back in Los Blancos’ 2-1 win over Deportivo Alaves this weekend.

In his senior football debut, Valdepenas played 78 minutes, made five tackles, won 58% of his duels, and completed 32/34 passes.

He was at fault for Alaves’ only goal, as he miscommunicated with Antonio Rudiger while trying to play the opposing striker offside, but his overall performance was strong enough that Premier League leaders Arsenal are monitoring the situation.

German clubs Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen are also in for the left-back, according to ESPN Deportes, although the player reportedly wants to stay at Real Madrid.

Arsenal calm links to Croatian attacker

While reports in Croatia said that Arsenal were ready to tie up a deal for Rijeka star attacking midfielder Toni Fruk, Football.London’s Ryan Taylor revealed that the club has not entered transfer talks and is unlikely to do so in the future.

That is because the Gunners already have Martin Ødegaard, Eberechi Eze, and Ethan Nwaneri as options in attacking midfield.

Fruk has eight goals and two assists in 17 Croatian league matches, making him second in the league’s goalscoring charts.

The 24-year-old also has two goals in five UEFA Europa Conference League appearances.

Takehiro Tomiyasu set for Ajax medical

Former Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu will undergo a medical on Tuesday ahead of a free transfer to Ajax, according to Ben Jacobs.

The Japanese international made 84 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal, but a serious knee injury meant he played just seven minutes in the 2024/25 season before he and the club terminated his contract by mutual consent.

Tomiyasu will bring his versatility and athleticism to an Ajax team that sits third in the Eredivisie, 14 points behind league leaders PSV.

Cristhian Mosquera in international tug-of-war

Arsenal center back Cristhian Mosquera has adjusted well to Premier League life after his summer transfer from Valencia, and now he has Spain and Colombia competing for his services on the international stage, per Sport Witness.

Mosquera was born in Spain to Colombian parents, making him eligible to play for both nations.

Colombia and former Everton defender Yerry Mina entered the discussion, telling journalist Juan Camilo Ruiz, “He is a player with great potential and a double cultural richness. If he feels the call, he will be welcome.”

Mosquera is already the captain of Spain’s under-21 team, which shows how highly his birth nation regards him.

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