Arsenal have been dealt a major blow as one of their top transfer targets has reportedly suffered a nasty injury and is set for several months on the sidelines.
The Gunners have started the new season in style, beating Manchester City in the Community Shield before kicking-off their Premier League title defence with a 3-0 rout of Coventry City.
Having splashed the cash on Bruno Guimaraes, Ezri Konsa and Christos Tzolis, the club are likely to focus on outgoings for the remainder of the summer window.
Gabriel Martinelli, Ethan Nwaneri and Gabriel Jesus could all depart the Emirates before deadline day next Tuesday, September 1.
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Should the forwards leave, Arsenal may well make one more big signing, with Mikel Arteta keen to strengthen his attacking options on the left-flank.
It was reported that after the audacious move for Vinicius Junior fell through, the north London side turned their attention to Juventus forward Kenan Yildiz.
Valued at £85million, Arteta is said to be ‘especially keen’ on the Turkey international who won Serie A’s ‘Rising Star’ award for the best Under-23 player in Italy last season.
While Juventus head coach Luciano Spalletti has publicly stated that he has no intention of selling Yildiz, a transfer could not be ruled out, especially if Arsenal bank £60m for Martinelli as reported.
But any move for Yildiz is now on hold after the 21-year-old suffered a foot injury during Juventus’ opening weekend win over Frosinone on Sunday.
Yildiz started the match but came off after 69 minutes, replaced by former Chelsea star Jeremie Boga. Juventus are yet to give an update on the player.
But various outlets in Italy, including La Gazzetta dello Sport, report that Yildiz reported a problem with his left foot upon returning to Turin on Monday and the initial diagnosis is not good.
It is said he may have suffered a foot fracture and is expected to be on the sidelines for two to three months, with surgery not ruled out at this stage.
If all this is true, it is a huge blow for Juventus and leaves Arsenal with one less transfer target for this window.
The only other forward the Gunners have been seriously linked with is Julian Alvarez, with the Atletico Madrid star now open to moving to north London.
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