Split image of Gabriel Jesus and a shadow with the Arsenal badge between them – copyright
Arsenal striker Gabriel Jesus, who could be sold for Juventus star Kenan Yildiz
Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is planning to kill two birds with one stone as he prepares to raid Juventus for Kenan Yildiz and also offload Gabriel Jesus, according to a report in the Italian media, but the Gunners’ plan may not work.
Yildiz is one of the best young players in Europe and is on the radar of Arsenal, among other clubs. Despite having the likes of Martin Odegaard and Eberechi Eze to play as a number 10, the north London club are said to have taken a shine to the Juventus star, too.
Bianconera News reported on September 20 that Arsenal are keen on Yildiz, who has been playing as a second striker for Juventus this season.
A Spanish report subsequently claimed that Arsenal have started ‘preliminary talks’ with Yildiz’s agents.
According to Radio Radio in Italy, Arsenal have decided to take a step further and are planning to make a huge bid for Yildiz.
Arsenal’s ‘concrete offer’ for Yildiz, who is valued at €80-90million (up to £78m, $104.5m) by Juventus, is cash and Gabriel Jesus.
The Gunners’ offer of €50m (£43.4m, $58m) to Juventus for the 20-year-old ‘is on the table’, with the north London club also willing to send Jesus to the Italian giants as part of the seal.
Sources have told TEAMtalk that Arsenal value Jesus at £30m (€34.4m, $40.4m), with Radio Radio now adding that the Premier League leaders believe that a combination of the Brazil international striker plus cash should convince Juventus to sell their prized asset.
Jesus, who has been out of action ever since he suffered an ACL injury in January, will struggle to get into Mikel Arteta’s starting line-up because of competition from Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz.
Signed from Manchester City in 2022 to lead Arsenal to the Premier League title, Jesus has scored just 26 goals and given 20 assists in 96 matches in all competitions for the Gunners.
Juventus will need a striker to replace Dusan Vlahovic, who is out of contract at the end of the season, so Jesus could be his replacement.
