Juventus Set Sights on Permanent Yildiz Deal Following Key Victory
Juventus are preparing to secure the long-term future of attacking midfielder Kenan Yildiz, with the club's hierarchy ready to open formal talks over a new and improved contract, according to sources close to the club. The 19-year-old's current deal runs until 2027, but his pivotal role in the team's push for Champions League qualification has accelerated plans to reward him with a significant extension, reflecting his increased importance and market value.
The move comes on the heels of a crucial 1-0 victory over Atalanta, a match in which manager Luciano Spalletti highlighted the team's resilience. Speaking to Sky Sport after the game, Spalletti admitted his side struggled initially but praised their second-half response. "The first half an hour we suffered because they are good," Spalletti said. "We started late, we weren't good in our set-up. In the second half we played a different match." This gritty win, secured by Jeremie Boga's goal, temporarily lifted Juventus into fourth place above Como, intensifying the battle for a top-four finish.
Yildiz, while carrying a minor inflammation, was deemed important enough to start against Atalanta despite not being at full fitness. Spalletti explained his decision to DAZN, stating, "Yildiz and [Fabio] Conceicao had some little problems. I played them because it's hard to do without them and they played a bit below their rhythm." The manager's insistence on fielding the Turkish international underscores the teenager's indispensable status within the squad, a status the club now aims to cement with a new agreement.
The context for securing Yildiz is deeply tied to Juventus's sporting project and financial constraints. With the club navigating a period of careful investment, locking down a homegrown talent who has blossomed into a regular starter is viewed as a strategic priority. His development represents a successful outcome for the club's youth academy and provides a cost-effective cornerstone for the attack. The proposed new contract would include a substantial salary increase and likely extend his commitment beyond the existing terms, aiming to ward off potential interest from other European clubs that has begun to surface.
Spalletti further framed the significance of the season's climax, linking it directly to the club's identity. "The Champions League is a level of glory," he said in a press conference. "The Champions League without teams like Juve jars a bit. For us, the Champions League must be a natural consequence." Achieving that consequence relies heavily on performers like Yildiz, whose creativity and goal threat have been vital. Securing his future is seen as a key step in building a competitive team for next season, whether in the Champions League or Europa League.
The manager also hinted at broader ambitions, refusing to rule out a late push for third-placed AC Milan. "Juventus can also catch Milan? It's right to give it some thought," Spalletti stated, while acknowledging a difficult run-in. For the club's ownership, led by president John Elkann, delivering a new contract for Yildiz aligns with the stated aim of building a team of level. Spalletti expressed his gratitude, saying, "We thank the ownership for being here. They have committed in these years to building a team of a level. We must satisfy their ambition." Finalizing Yildiz's new terms would be a tangible signal of that ambition being realized, stabilizing a key asset as Juventus plans for the future.
