Arsenal retain a strong interest in signing Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz and Como attacking midfielder Nico Paz for future transfer windows, according to reports from the Independent. The north London club’s newly appointed sporting director, Andrea Berta, who recently succeeded Edu, is working alongside manager Mikel Arteta to identify creative targets to bolster the squad's attacking rotation.
Juventus remain firm on Yildiz stance
Arsenal's long-standing admiration for Yildiz has been corroborated by transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano, who stated that both Arteta and Berta highly rate the 19-year-old Turkish international. However, securing his signature remains a substantial challenge. Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti has publicly dismissed speculation regarding a potential departure, insisting the player is not for sale even if a club offers €100m (£86m). Speaking to the media in September 2026, Spalletti stated: "They can offer whatever they like, I want Yildiz here and will always put him on the field." Yildiz remains central to Spalletti's plans in Turin, making any mid-season approach highly unlikely.
Real Madrid hold vital leverage over Paz
The pursuit of Paz is equally complex due to the player's former club retaining significant control. The 21-year-old midfielder has caught the attention of Premier League scouts since joining Como, but Real Madrid possess an €80m (£69m) buyback clause that becomes active in the summer 2027 transfer window. This clause allows the Spanish giants to dictate his next move or easily price out external suitors. Arsenal are currently evaluating their options as Berta establishes his long-term recruitment strategy, which must balance squad depth following several windows of high spending. Any formal development would require Arsenal to submit official proposals to test the resolve of both Italian clubs.
