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Arsenal turn to €100 million winger as club look to back Mikel Arteta after Vinicius Jr setback
Priya Nambiar | August 11, 2026 6:45 AM CST

Arsenal are switching their focus to other options after their unsuccessful move for Vinicius Jr.

Arsenal have opened discussions over signing a €100 million left winger to complete their XI.

That is according to a new report from Italy, which says long-standing target Kenan Yildiz is being considered by manager Mikel Arteta to fill the gap on the left flank.

Arsenal’s failed bid to bring Vinicius Jr to North London has left the Gunners weighing up their next step, with any move for Yildiz likely to be an ambitious one.

Arsenal have admired Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz for a long time, with FourFourTwo understanding that the Premier League champions made an enquiry to the Old Lady in June, with the player among a number of targets.

The Turkey international signed a new deal in Turin earlier this year, but after Arsenal missed out on Vinicius Jr, the club are under pressure to secure a top-level alternative to satisfy Arteta and have now returned to Yildiz, according to Tutto Juve.

While FourFourTwo understands that Arteta is very happy at present in N5 and has held talks over a new contract of his own — with his current deal running until next summer — there has been no formal commitment from the Basque coach to stay at Emirates Stadium.

The former Gunners captain has seen the club match his ambition across nearly seven years in charge, including sanctioning a British-record transfer for Declan Rice and handing him a club-record summer spend 12 months ago.

The Gunners have also supported their manager’s calls to freeze out players such as Mesut Ozil and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang from the first-team setup.

However, the North London club have repeatedly missed out on their first-choice attacking targets over the years, having to switch from players such as Benjamin Sesko to Viktor Gyokeres last summer — and if Arsenal are unable to satisfy the manager who delivered their first title in 22 years, it would be natural for him to think about his long-term future.

With Gabriel Martinelli marked for sale, it is evident that Arsenal want to bring in an elite left winger despite a weak market, with Arteta urgently needing improvements in the forward line to keep developing his side.

Landing a player Arteta really wants, such as Yildiz, would be one way of showing the Arsenal boss how highly the club value him and would underline the influence he still holds at Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal may still need to consider other options, though, with Tutto Juve reporting that the 21-year-old is simply not for sale, something described as “a simple transfer decision” by the Italian giants.

According to Transfermarkt, Yildiz is valued at €75m. Arsenal face Coventry City on the opening day of the Premier League season.


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