Real Madrid fell 2-1 to Manchester City in a tense Champions League clash at the Bernabéu, but Xabi Alonso praised his squad's relentless effort. Rodrygo's early strike gave Los Blancos hope, only for City's quickfire goals from a corner and penalty to flip the script in ten crucial minutes. Alonso's post-match words highlighted performance over the scoreline, signaling resilience amid mounting pressures. The Match Unfolds: A Tale of Two Halves Real Madrid burst out of the blocks, capitalizing on home advantage with Rodrygo's opener that set an aggressive tone against a City side known for their clinical finishing. Alonso noted the team's positive start and chance creation, but lamented defensive lapses during a pivotal ten-minute spell where City scored twice from set-pieces—a corner converted ruthlessly and a penalty dispatched with precision. Despite the reversal, Madrid pushed forward, generating opportunities but lacking the killer edge in front of goal, f...
Kenan Yıldız’s future sits in a delicate balance between Juventus’ desire to build a new project around him and the growing pull of superpowers like Real Madrid and Arsenal who see a €100m-level talent trapped in contract tension. Whether he stays in Turin or moves to a Champions League contender will likely be decided less by raw transfer fees and more by how far Juventus are willing to go to meet his salary demands and sporting ambitions.
From Bayern Prospect To Juventus Cornerstone
Kenan Yıldız arrived at Juventus from Bayern Munich’s academy in 2022 as a promising playmaker, but within three seasons he transformed into one of Serie A’s standout young forwards. By the 2025–26 campaign, he was not just a prospect; he was delivering end product with goals and assists in double figures across competitions while Juventus struggled to keep pace with the top of the table.
His contract history explains why tension has emerged so quickly. In August 2024, Juve upgraded him from a low first professional salary to a five-year deal until 2029 worth around €1.5m net per year—still modest by elite standards for a player of his age and impact. That bargain contract is exactly what makes him both invaluable to Juventus and extremely attractive to wealthier clubs able to multiply those wages overnight.
Juventus’ Plan: Build Around Yıldız
Inside Turin, the message from management and coaching staff has been consistent: Kenan Yıldız is the face of the new Juventus. Reports in Italy describe him as “unsellable” in the current window, with the club openly rejecting an offer of around €65m from Chelsea and turning away interest from Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Premier League sides earlier in 2025.
Juventus are working on another contract extension designed to push his deal toward 2030 and lift his annual salary into the €4–6m range, which would move him closer to the top earners in the squad and recognise his central role in their sporting and commercial project. Club executives see him not only as the creative hub of the attack but as a marketing asset who can carry the brand into younger audiences and new markets.
Contract Standoff: Ambition Versus Reality
Despite public talk of “unsellable,” the reality is more nuanced: Juventus’ financial health is fragile, and Yıldız’s camp knows it. Italian and international reports suggest his representatives are pushing for a salary in the €5–6m net per year bracket—around four times what he currently earns—to reflect his rapid rise and growing market value.
Juve are willing to go significantly higher than his present deal, with figures such as €4–4.5m per year mentioned in local outlets and fan discussions, but there is a gap between what they are comfortable paying and what the player’s camp sees as fair for a potential €100m superstar. That mismatch feeds uncertainty: if they fail to find a middle ground, the club must either risk dissatisfaction in their dressing room or consider a huge sale while his value peaks.
Real Madrid’s Interest: A Galáctico In Waiting?
Real Madrid’s interest in Yıldız fits a broader pattern: they like to move early on versatile, technically gifted attackers who can be moulded into multi-role forwards. Spanish reports suggest that Los Blancos are watching the contract stand-off closely, believing that the longer negotiations drag, the more pressure Juventus will feel to listen to nine-figure proposals.
Madrid’s main selling points are obvious. They can offer the highest stage in club football, a squad loaded with young stars, and the financial muscle to meet or exceed the €5–6m salary bracket without blinking. In addition, coach Xabi Alonso is said to be a long-time admirer, having known Yıldız from his Bayern-linked background and publicly praising his development, which could help smooth the sporting integration in Spain.
Arsenal’s Project: Premier League Platform For A Star
Arsenal, meanwhile, see Yıldız as the kind of creative forward who can slot into Mikel Arteta’s fluid attacking structure and offer both goals and chance creation from the left half-space or central pockets. Premier League sources and Italian media agree that Arsenal have made “real contact,” asking Juventus for information and monitoring his situation as the January and summer windows approach.
From Yıldız’s point of view, Arsenal bring a compelling mix: a young, aggressive team fighting for Premier League titles, a coach known for improving technical attackers, and a pay structure that comfortably supports wages at or above his desired level. For Arsenal, adding him would be both a sporting boost and a strategic move to keep up with Real Madrid and other superclubs in the race for the next generation of global stars.
Juventus’ Financial Tightrope
The biggest question is not whether Juventus value Yıldız, but whether they can afford to keep valuing him at the level the market demands. The club has wrestled with financial strain, including Champions League absences and revenue drops, which naturally limit the flexibility they have to hand out mega-contracts without upsetting dressing-room balance.
Some reports mention a price tag being quietly set in case talks collapse, with suggestions that a future sale could be considered if bids approach or exceed the €100m mark. Others insist that ownership injections and a clear strategic decision to build around Yıldız mean Juventus will fight hard to avoid selling their “ultimate attraction,” only considering a move once they have achieved sporting success together.
How Real Madrid Would Change His Trajectory
A move to Real Madrid would fundamentally reshape Yıldız’s career ceiling. In Spain, he would compete with and learn from some of the world’s best young forwards, with Champions League knockout games, Clásicos, and global pre-season tours all accelerating his exposure and tactical education. The risk is that he might initially face heavier competition for minutes, particularly in central attacking roles, and would be judged instantly by unforgiving Madrid standards.
Tactically, his ability to drift inside from wide positions, link with midfield, and run beyond the striker fits neatly into Madrid’s recent preference for flexible front threes rather than rigid number nines and tens. Financially and commercially, Madrid can offer marquee sponsorships and global reach that go far beyond what Juventus currently provide, boosting both his personal brand and long-term earnings.
How Arsenal Could Unlock His Prime
At Arsenal, Yıldız would find a slightly different proposition: a team closer in age profile to his own, with a coach obsessed with positional play and detail, and a league whose tempo matches his dynamism and pressing ability. He could compete for spots across the frontline, perhaps starting from the left or as a second striker-style attacking midfielder, with regular Premier League minutes and Champions League nights if Arsenal maintain their current level.
The Premier League’s global footprint would supercharge his visibility—especially in markets where the league already dominates viewership—while Arsenal’s relatively modern wage structure has room to accommodate a star on €6m or more per year without breaking internal hierarchies. For a young player looking for both responsibility and development, North London might offer a clearer path to being “the guy” than Madrid’s crowded attacking galaxy.
So, Is His Future Really In Limbo?
Kenan Yıldız’s situation is not a classic transfer storm where a player is desperate to leave; he is reported to want to stay at Juventus—if the club meets his expectations with a contract that reflects his status. Limbo arises because Juventus are caught between their sporting dream of building around him and the economic reality that keeping him means paying near Premier League-level wages while retooling a flawed squad.
Real Madrid and Arsenal cannot “save” him from a bad environment in the traditional sense, because Turin is offering him a central role and genuine affection. What they can do is present alternatives: Champions League-winning infrastructure in Madrid or a dynamic Premier League project in London, both paired with wages Juventus might struggle to match. Ultimately, his next step will hinge on whether Juve can turn promises into pen-on-paper and a competitive squad—otherwise, the allure of a €100m escape route to Spain or England will only grow stronger.
~~~ By Dribble Diaries
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