Turin on Alert: Premier League Giants Dial Up Pressure for Juventus’ 'Number 10' Gem

TURIN — The phone lines at the Continassa training ground are reportedly running hot. While Juventus managed to secure Kenan Yildiz to a long-term deal back in 2024, the football landscape has shifted dramatically in the last 18 months. Now, with the Turkish international establishing himself as the face of the post-Allegri era, a trio of Premier League heavyweights—Liverpool, Chelsea, and Arsenal—are sensing an opportunity to pry the 'new Del Piero' away from Italy.

The Catalyst: A Pay Disparity in Piedmont

Despite wearing the iconic number 10 shirt, Yildiz’s financial package has arguably lagged behind his meteoric rise on the pitch. Reports from Tuttosport indicate that while Yildiz is tied down until 2029, his camp is pushing for a salary reflection of his status as a nailed-on starter. The figure being floated in negotiation rooms is approximately €6 million net per season (around £200,000 per week)—a significant hike that has caused Juventus directors to pause.

This hesitation has opened a door. Sources suggest that Liverpool’s Sporting Director, Richard Hughes, has had scouts in attendance at the Allianz Stadium repeatedly this winter, monitoring a player who fits the energetic, high-pressing profile preferred at Anfield. Meanwhile, in London, Mikel Arteta’s desire for a versatile forward who can operate centrally or off the left makes Yildiz a tactical mirror image of Arsenal’s ideal target.

On the Pitch: The 'Diamond' Shines Brightest

The interest isn't speculative; it is performance-driven. In the 2025/26 campaign, Yildiz has evolved from a raw talent into a decisive match-winner. Operating in a more central playmaker role this season, he has racked up 6 goals and 4 assists in his first 16 Serie A appearances.

His recent form has been particularly blistering. In the decisive 2-0 victory over Pisa on December 27, Yildiz played 89 minutes, scoring the opener and dictating the tempo against a low block—exactly the kind of lock-picking ability Premier League sides covet. With a market value now surging past the €75 million mark, Juventus know they are sitting on a gold mine, but also a potential ticking time bomb if they cannot satisfy his wage demands.

The January Summit

Juventus are not sitting idly by. Aware of the "constant phone calls" from England and the looming shadow of Real Madrid—where Florentino Pérez has reportedly received glowing recommendations from Xabi Alonso—the Bianconeri have scheduled a critical summit for January.

The goal is clear: tear up the current agreement and lock Yildiz down until 2031, making him the highest-paid cornerstone of the project. However, if the player's camp feels the Premier League offers a faster route to both silverware and a tripled salary, the upcoming meeting could turn from a coronation into a crisis negotiation.