Juventus and Kenan Yildiz, the 18-year-old Turkish striking sensation, are reportedly close to agreeing on a long-term contract extension that would keep him at the Italian club until 2028. If confirmed, this would be Yildiz's second contract extension this season.
The potential new deal clearly indicates the faith that Juventus' management, including Sporting Director Cristiano Giuntoli, has in Yildiz's abilities and potential. By securing the young striker's services for the next four years, the club aims to ward off interest from other top European teams that may have been considering a move for Yildiz in the upcoming summer transfer window.
While the reported contract extension would come with a pay rise for Yildiz, the primary focus for both the player and the club is said to be on ensuring his long-term development and success at Juventus.
The striker, who will celebrate his 19th birthday in a couple of weeks, has already shown glimpses of his immense talent and is considered one of the most promising young players in Turkish football.
Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero recently praised Yildiz in a radio interview, stating,
"Yildiz is certainly among the young players I like the most, he has already shown some of what he can do. I would give him the No. 10 shirt."
Del Piero even suggested that the young striker could potentially wear his iconic number 10 shirt for Juventus in the future, highlighting the high expectations surrounding Yildiz's career.
As part of the potential contract extension process, reports indicate that Yildiz will be parting ways with his current agency, Leaderbrocks, due to differences in opinion regarding the player's future steps.
🚨⚪️⚫️ Kenan Yildiz, set to sign new deal at Juventus valid until June 2028. It’s all agreed with Leaderbrocks agency, set to be sealed soon.
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 15, 2024
Right after the official signature, Yildiz and Leaderbrocks agency will part ways due to different view on future steps. pic.twitter.com/jpD8SpzOb5
According to the well-respected Italian sports newspaper, La Gazzetta dello Sport, the club is likely to make an official announcement regarding Yildiz's new contract once the club has secured its place in the Champions League for the upcoming season.
The Bianconeri faithful are optimistic that the young Turkish striker will don the legendary number 10 jersey for a more extended period compared to some of its previous owners, such as Paul Pogba, who had relatively shorter spells with the club.
Yildiz's rise through the ranks at Juventus has been impressive, and his performances for Turkey at the youth international level have further underlined his potential.
The young striker's journey began when he joined Juventus' youth academy in 2021 from German club Bayern Munich. Since then, he has consistently showcased his goal-scoring abilities and technical skills, earning him a promotion to the senior squad in August 2023.
The 18-year-old's performances have not gone unnoticed by the Turkish national team, with Yildiz representing his country at various youth levels. His displays for the Turkish U19 and U21 teams have been particularly impressive, with the striker scoring crucial goals and providing assists in important matches.
As Juventus looks to secure Yildiz's future with the club, fans can expect to see more of the young striker's talent on display in the coming seasons. With the guidance of experienced players and coaches at Juventus, Yildiz has the potential to develop into a world-class striker and become a key player for both his club and country.
If the contract extension is confirmed, it will be a significant moment for both Kenan Yildiz and Juventus. The club will have secured the services of one of the most promising young strikers in world football, while Yildiz will have the opportunity to continue his development at one of the most prestigious clubs in Europe.