Barcelona, a club perpetually on the hunt for burgeoning talent to integrate into its squad under Hansi Flick, recently turned its gaze towards the Italian Serie A. While the Catalan giants boast a roster already brimming with potential, the desire for reinforcement led them to explore potential acquisitions from Juventus and AC Milan.
Initial soundings quickly revealed the significant hurdles involved. Chief among the targets identified were Juventus`s exciting young forward, Kenan Yildiz, and AC Milan`s dynamic winger, Rafael Leao. Both players, it turns out, are considered highly protected assets by their respective clubs, making any transfer discussions inherently complicated.
The situation differs slightly for other players reportedly on Barcelona`s radar. Ademola Lookman of Atalanta, a player who has been admired for some time, comes with a steep valuation reportedly around €50 million. Furthermore, navigating discussions has been complicated by issues with his agents, adding another layer of difficulty to a potential deal. A query was also made regarding Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic. The source suggests Vlahovic could potentially become a viable option for Barcelona only in the event of a contract resolution scenario at Juventus – a rather specific and perhaps optimistic condition.
However, the focal point of this particular transfer saga is undoubtedly Kenan Yildiz, and Juventus`s decisive action to retain him. The Turin club is not merely warding off interest; they are proactively preparing a comprehensive new agreement designed to significantly enhance Yildiz`s financial terms and, crucially, secure his long-term future at the club.
The proposed contract is substantial for a player of his age and experience. Yildiz is expected to command a base salary of €3.5 million per season, with potential earnings rising to around €4 million annually when bonuses are factored in. The financial commitment doesn`t stop there; the agreement reportedly includes annual salary increases, projecting his earnings to reach approximately €6 million per season by the conclusion of the deal. The signing of this improved contract appears imminent, solidifying a commitment that will reportedly tie Yildiz to Juventus until 2030, with an embedded option to extend the agreement further, potentially until 2031.
Should Yildiz remain at Juventus until the potential end of this proposed extended deal in 2031, he would be just 26 years old, still very much in the prime of his career. This lengthy commitment is a clear demonstration of how rapidly the Turkish international is developing and establishing himself as a key player. His statistics—reportedly 12 goals and 9 assists (performance metrics that certainly turn heads)—are testament to his impact and underscore why Juventus views him as virtually non-transferable.
Indeed, the message emanating from Juventus is unequivocal: Yildiz is untouchable. Unless, of course, a truly astronomical offer arrives. The figure being circulated? A staggering €100 million. It seems Juventus has drawn a very expensive line in the sand, effectively communicating to potential suitors, including Barcelona, that their prized young asset is not for sale at anything less than a fee that would redefine transfer market boundaries for a player of his profile.
In the complex dance of football transfers, Juventus`s move to secure Kenan Yildiz is a masterclass in asset protection. While Barcelona sought to add talent from Italy, Juventus`s swift and significant contract offer has effectively closed the door on one of their key targets, leaving the Catalans to ponder their next move in their perpetual quest for football`s brightest stars.