Luciano Spalletti set the tone that has defined Juventus’s handling of the file.

“They can offer whatever they want, €100m or whatever, we are Juventus,” the head coach said after Arsenal’s second summer inquiry, in comments reported by Fabrizio Romano.

“He is too important, Kenan Yildiz, for us.”

The position has not shifted since. Arsenal have moved on to other targets. Real Madrid are stepping into the space the Gunners vacated.

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Arsenal pursue, then walk away

Mikel Arteta’s side pursued Yildiz as their marquee attacking option through the summer window. Juventus’s answer did not change: the Turkey international was not available, and the asking price, if Juventus were ever forced to listen, sits at €100m, roughly £85.7m.

Arsenal decided a bid at that level still would not open the door in Turin. A deal in that range would also have been the club’s second most expensive, trailing only the £100m paid for Declan Rice.

Perez pushes, 2030 clause blocks the door

The baton has passed. Real Madrid, under Jose Mourinho since the summer, are the next club prepared to test Juventus’s resolve. Florentino Perez has made Yildiz his personal priority, and chief scout Juan Calafat has been tracking the player.

The structural problem for every suitor is the same. In February, Juventus tied Yildiz to a contract running to June 2030 and deliberately left out a release clause, lifting his salary to €6m with further increases built in. The paperwork was designed to keep the answer at “no”.

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Yildiz has repaid that commitment with 27 goals and 21 assists across 132 appearances for the club.

Foot surgery leaves pursuit on pause

Any winter approach would meet a second obstacle. Yildiz suffered a fracture at the base of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot in late August and underwent surgery in Germany. He has since returned to Turin for the final stages of rehabilitation and is scheduled back in action after the November international break.

Jeremie Boga, Kerim Alajbegovic and Nicolas Gonzalez have shared time on the left wing in his absence.

Real Madrid are expected to resume contact in January, with Juventus’s €100m valuation and the 2030 contract framing any new approach.

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