Arsenal hold talks to sign £86m star who’s “Mbappe-like”

Heading into the summer transfer window, it’s adundantly clear that Arsenal need to strengthen their attacking ranks.

Sure, they may well be champions of England and Champions League runners up but there were holes in Mikel Arteta’s side, notably in the forward line.

Viktor Gyokeres had a fairly successful first year in London, finishing the 2025/26 season as their top scorer with 21 strikes to his name.

That said, however, there was a distinct lack of potency. Gabriel Martinelli scored 11 times but only one of those goals came in the Premier League. Bukayo Saka also scored 11 but was below his usual best. As for Leandro Trossard, the Belgian finished the campaign with eight goals in all competitions.

So, a goalscoring and creative winger is required.

Arsenal launch move to sign £86m forward

In their bid to improve their forward line this summer it looks as though Arsenal’s number one target is Morgan Rogers but with a price tag reaching as high as £100m, they will need to drive the price down.

Reports suggest that the Gunners have already held talks with the player’s camp over a move but Aston Villa are not really in any mood to sell.

Arteta may have to target alternatives including PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Rafael Leao. Both players could be on the move this summer.

Speaking of Leao, Arsenal are said to have already made an approach to sign one of the Serie A’s most talented wide players. Indeed, according to Tutto Sport in Italy, Andrea Berta and Co have asked Juventus for information about Kenan Yildiz’s future in Turin.

The north Londoners have made their enquiry and expressed an interest in the player but it has so far been met with firm resistance from the Old Lady.

Juve are not willing to sell despite Arsenal’s intention to pay a fee that could reach as high as £86m.

How Yildiz compares to Trossard

It’s safe to say that Trossard has been one of Arteta’s finest servants since signing from Brighton in a mere £27m deal.

The Belgium international has been the very definition of clutch and proved as much during the title-winning season when he scored that vital winner away at West Ham United.

That was undoubtedly the winger’s best moment of a campaign in which he struggled. Trossard did actually fly out of the blocks, scoring eight goals and supplying six in his first 22 matches of the season.

However, in the 25 outings prior to his goal at the London Stadium, he failed to find the net. For the 31-year-old, it was all the proof required that he is now past his best.

Sure, the former Brighton man ended the season well but it’s time for an upgrade now and Yildiz, said to boast a “[Kylian] Mbappe-like ability” in the words of Italian football expert Danny Corcoran, could be just the man.

For a while now, the 21-year-old has threatened to become one of the best wingers in Europe and while the Turkiye international still needs to develop some consistency, he is certainly one of the most exciting wide men around.

In 2025/26, the youngster scored 11 goals and also supplied ten assists, adding to the 12 goals and nine assists from 2024/25. A left winger by trade, Yildiz is also capable of operating as a second striker behind the leading number 9. That versatility could be crucial for Arsenal.

It’s evident they would like to sign another winger/no.10 hybrid with their interest in the aformentioned Rogers growing and Yildiz could play a very similar role to the Villa man should he join.

Mirroring Mbappe for the way he carries the ball, Yildiz is one of the best dribblers around. He is so tricky to stop when in full flow. In 2025/26, the Juve star ranked among the top 7% of wingers in Europe’s top five leagues for progressive carries per 90 and among the best 3% for successful dribbles. He is also in the top 13% for key passes per 90.

A carry is considered progressive if the ball is moved towards the opponent’s goal at least 10 yards from its starting point or is carried into the penalty area.

In comparison, Trossard only just sits inside the top 50% of positionally similar players for progressive carries and the best 30% for successful dribbles.

Yildiz is still extremely raw but he has all of the core attributes to thrive in the Premier League. He’s a scintilating threat, a one-v-one monster capable of destroying any full-back he comes across.

Arsenal could do with a maverick like that; they simply do not have enough in their squad. The only players to boast similar traits in the current side are Bukayo Saka, Eberechi Eze and Noni Madueke. As a result, this has the potential to be a game-changing signing if they can persuade Juve to change their stance on selling the player.