Arsenal have a good chance of landing top target Kenan Yildiz if Juventus are forced into balancing the books, according to journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

Speaking to Wettfreunde.net, Di Marzio said that Juve may have to “sacrifice” the Turkish international next summer to comply with a settlement agreement reached with UEFA:

“Yildız could be a deal in the summer because Juventus needs to sell one player or need to earn €70-80 million from the transfer market. They can sell three or four together, or sell one. “They got [Kerim] Alajbegovic for that position and role because they’re preparing for the possibility of Yildiz leaving.”

“Arsenal and Tottenham, in the summer, asked Juventus the price. They were ready to offer more than €100 million if Juventus opened the door for this deal.”

“If Juventus will sell Yildiz, he will be valued around €150 million and I think Arsenal is one of the clubs that is more interested in him. Tottenham too, but Arsenal, I think, will lead the race if Juventus really decide to sacrifice Yıldız for the settlement agreement with UEFA.”

Yildiz’s club are struggling

Juve failed to secure Champions League qualification last season, and they are in danger of the same thing happening this campaign. They are currently languishing in 8th place, with manager Luciano Spalletti under pressure after losing 2 of his last 3 matches.

Up until now, the Bianconeri have been steadfast in keeping hold of Yildiz. They tied him down to a new contract earlier this year, and as Di Marzio mentions, they turned down offers for him last summer, but they could be forced into a sale if their league position doesn’t improve.

Do Arsenal have the funds to meet the €150m (£125m) price tag?

The Gunners were prepared to make moves for both Vinicius Jr and Julian Alvarez back in August, and those two forwards would have cost similar amounts to Yildiz.

For that reason, there is a decent chance that they would break their transfer record for the Juventus star, having tried to secure his services on multiple occasions in the past.