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Real Madrid is reportedly preparing to make a move for Juventus’s rising forward Kenan Yildiz, seeking to add him to its squad as the second Turkish star after Arda Guler, prompting the Turin club to start new contract negotiations with the young player, Italian media reported.
The 20-year-old Turkish international, who has impressed with his technical skill and composure in both Serie A and the UEFA Champions League, is seen by Madrid scouts as a player with the potential to become a long-term asset for the Spanish club, Italian sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
In response, Juventus has taken swift action to prevent a possible departure. According to the report, the Turin-based club has begun negotiations to extend Yildiz’s contract until 2030, offering a significant salary increase from €1.7 million ($1.97 million) to €5.5 million ($6.39 million) per year.
The club’s general director, Damien Comolli, recently met with Yildiz’s parents and agents at the club’s training complex, Continassa, to outline the new proposal and emphasize the player’s growing role within the team.
The revised deal would make Yildiz one of the highest-paid players in Juventus’s squad, putting him on a par with Canadian striker Jonathan David. Head coach Igor Tudor has also shown strong faith in the player, giving him the captain’s armband in a recent friendly against Real Madrid—a symbolic gesture that highlighted his emerging leadership on the field.
Born in 2005 in Regensburg, Germany, Yildiz began his career in Bayern Munich’s youth academy before joining Juventus in 2022. Since then, he has become a regular fixture in both the Italian club’s first team and Türkiye’s national squad.
This season, he has made 10 appearances across Serie A and the Champions League, scoring two goals and providing four assists.
Yildiz’s talent, versatility, and discipline have drawn comparisons to his idol Alessandro Del Piero—who now serves as one of his personal mentors—while his potential transfer to Madrid would see two Turkish players feature together for the Spanish powerhouse for the first time in recent history.
Although Yildiz has reportedly expressed a desire to continue developing at Juventus, his final decision may depend on the club’s ability to remain competitive in both domestic and European tournaments.
For Juventus, securing his signature until 2030 would not only protect one of its most valuable assets but also signal confidence in a new generation of players.
If Real Madrid succeeds in its pursuit, the move would extend the club’s investment in Türkiye’s new wave of football talent following Arda Guler’s €30 million transfer from Fenerbahce in 2023, positioning Yildiz and Guler as the dual faces of its next era in European football.
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