Pep Guardiola (Image: Getty)
Manchester City’s plans to sign a new attacker have hit a roadblock after Kenan Yildiz reportedly rejected an approach from the Premier League champions.
The Juventus starlet appeared on City’s radar following his breakthrough season in Serie A, with the teenager producing some eye-catching displays for the Italian giants.
City have a void to fill in their attack after Julian Alvarez left for Atletico Madrid in a club-record sale, the Argentinian completing his £82million move to Spain last week.
Their transfer coffers were further boosted by Liam Delap’s departure to Ipswich in a £15m deal, giving Guardiola significant funds to find another attacking player to add to his squad.
Their £35m acquisition of Savinho from Troyes remains their only new signing this summer and there is a feeling City may be lacking depth, should Erling Haaland suffer another injury similar to his foot problem last season.
It appears City’s recruitment chiefs had identified Yildiz as an exciting talent for the future and club officials made contact with his representatives, according to HITC.
Kenan Yildiz has emerged as a bright prospect for Juventus with Man City keen (Image: Getty)
However, their advances were knocked back by the highly-rated forward, who is keen to stay with the Serie A outfit and fight for a first-team place.
Yidliz, 19, joined Juve from Bayern Munich in 2022 and broke into the first team under Massimiliano Allegri last season. He is poised to play an important role in the Bianconeri’s future under new boss Thiago Motta.
The Juventus starlet has also agreed to sign a new long-term deal in Turin after rebuffing City’s reported interest, with Juventus ‘never entertaining’ the idea of selling the talented youngster.
The Turkey international has signed a new deal until the summer of 2029 and looks set to play a bigger part in their season after being given assurances over playing time.
Kenan Yildiz signed a new contract with Juventus until 2029 (Image: Getty)
City were not the only interested club to make their interest known, with Arsenal and Chelsea also spoken to by intermediaries. But after City followed up on those initial talks, they may have to move onto alternative targets.
Crystal Palace playmaker Eberechi Eze has been linked with a big-money switch to the Etihad Stadium, and the England international, 26, is valued at around £60m by his club.
The eight-time Premier League winners are set to complete the signing of Divin Mubama following his release from West Ham. But the teenage striker is set to join their development squad and Guardiola’s men could bring in another player before the August 30 transfer deadline.
Real Madrid winger Rodrygo is rumoured to be on their shortlist, although the Brazilian may be reluctant to leave given his importance to the La Liga giants – even after Kylian Mbappe’s capture.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1937579/Man-City-transfer-news-Kenan-Yildiz-Arsenal-Chelsea