Juventus and the young winger remain in talks over a new long-term contract, with the Italian giants hoping to make some real progress towards getting him to sign on the dotted line before the January transfer window, according to Flashscore’s transfer insider Dean Jones.
Until that point though, speculation will continue to mount, and Premier League clubs will be hoping to lure another top European talent to England. Jones reports that Tottenham are the latest to show a serious interest in Yildiz.
Any potential deal won’t come easy though, with London rivals Chelsea and Arsenal also chasing the Turkey international’s signature, but which of these three clubs would make the most sense for Yildiz to move to?
3. Tottenham
Sorry Spurs fans, but of the three clubs yours would probably be the least appealing for Yildiz, for not at least. Thomas Frank was brought in to shore things up following Ange Postecoglou’s chaotic tenure, but it’s just been a bit, boring.
A player of Yildiz’s quality needs to be playing in the Champions League on a regular basis, and with Tottenham sitting down in 11th with 22 points from their 16 games, it’s starting to look unlikely they’ll be there next season.
Tactically, Yildiz has a similar profile to Mohammed Kudus. At Juve, he’s deployed as either a winger or number ten, the issue is Spurs don’t have a mobile enough midfield to help release Yildiz quick enough to be effective.
That’s Tottenham’s biggest issue so far this season, and until that gets resolved, and more attacking signings wouldn’t make much sense. Yildiz would be a guaranteed starter for Spurs though, he is much better than Mathy Tel, Randal Kolo Muani, and Brennan Johnson.
2. Chelsea
The same can’t be said for Chelsea. Enzo Maresca’s side spent around £90 million on Jamie Gittens and Alejandro Garnacho in order to improve their left wing, although Yildiz would probably be an improvement on the two.
Regardless, Chelsea’s continued rotation policy would likely be a major red flag for Yildiz, especially as he enters crucial years in terms of his development. And like Spurs, Champions League football might not be a guarantee come the end of the season.
Yildiz is very much a Maresca winger. The Italian likes his wide men to play major roles in build-up, and the Turkey international has the close control and dribbling ability to do just that. If Chelsea were willing to make him a bonafine key player, it would be a match made in heaven.
1. Arsenal
This move just makes so much sense. Arsenal have been crying out for a new left winger for the past few seasons, with Gabriel Martinelli failing to live up to the hype and Leandro Trossard not been consistent enough to be a star player.
Summer signing Noni Madueke has looked great when he’s featured, but he was never going to be the man to start on the left, he was bought to be an understudy and potentially provide competition to Bukayo Saka, his versatility is just a bonus.
Arsenal are able to offer Yildiz everything Chelsea and Spurs can’t. It’s going to take a fall-off the likes of which we’ve never seen for them not to qualify for the Champions League AND he would be a key player. Of these three clubs, if Arsenal are in for him, that’s where Yildiz should go.