Chelsea have been dealt a blow in their pursuit of Kenan Yildiz. Juventus have rejected an official €65m bid from the Premier League side, stating the Turk is not for sale. The message from Turin? Loud, firm and final — hands off.
Juventus Stand Firm on Their Star
Yildiz had been a known commodity to Chelsea. Blues boss Enzo Maresca personally sanctioned the deal, and the Blues made an offer for the forward in the region of €65m-68m. The 19-year-old was considered a perfect fit for Chelsea’s youth-oriented rebuild and long-term squad transition.
But Juventus didn’t blink. Juventus swiftly rejected the offer, with club officials firmly ruling out any possibility of selling Yildiz. He wears the iconic No. 10 shirt and now leads the club’s new era. Head coach Igor Tudor has him down as a confirmed starter for next season in 2025/26 — and the fans are right behind him.
Discussions are already open concerning a new deal until 2030 that would see him earn around €4m a year, plus incentives. Juventus, from within, consider Yildiz to be a future Ballon d’Or nominee and are building both team and brand around him. His rapid ascent has also made him a far more valuable commercial property, especially in Turkey and the Middle East, where he is becoming a marketing force.
Yildiz scored six times in Serie A last season and caught the eye with his trickery, calmness and adaptability. He’s not a prospect — he’s already producing at the highest level.
Chelsea Shift Focus to Other Targets
Back to the drawing board for Chelsea. The club still want to sign a top attacking midfielder this summer. Xavi Simons, Mohammed Kudus and Michael Olise are also serious options.
Maresca is trying to encourage greater creativity and dynamism in the final third. But Juventus has drawn a hard line — Yildiz is off the table. Chelsea may have the money, but Juve have the prize asset.
