Arsenal transfer target set for months out after surgery advice

Arsenal have been on the hunt for a winger this summer, and Kenan Yildiz of Juventus was one of the names strongly linked with interest from the Gunners.

Juventus were very keen not to sell, which created one roadblock for Arsenal to overcome. But perhaps even more significantly, Yildiz is now set to miss the next few months of football through injury.

Football Italia relay reports that Yildiz saw a consultant on Tuesday, and it turns out he’s fractured the fifth metatarsal in his left foot. Surgery is described as ‘difficult to avoid’, and it’s reportedly likely the player will require three months out.

Late November has been touted as a possible target for the winger’s return, closer to the January transfer window than Tuesday’s summer deadline. A move to Arsenal now appears impossible.

As mentioned, Juventus have also been adamant about holding onto the player anyway, with manager Luciano Spalletti saying: “They (Yildiz’s suitors) can offer whatever they like, I want Yildiz here and will always put him on the field.”

Juventus general manager Damien Comolli had also said Yildiz was “untouchable” and “at the centre of our project”. Comolli confirmed Arsenal’s interest, but added that they wouldn’t sell “even if they offered €100m”.

With no explicit confirmation that Yildiz even wanted the transfer, Juventus’ hierarchy united on keeping the player, and his imminent injury surgery, this is one move that definitely won’t be happening in the final six days of Arsenal’s summer window.