Juventus can’t let Yildiz contract become a long-term saga

Kenan Yildiz remains a topic of hot discussion in Juventus circles, but discussions and negotiations over a new and improved contract extension shouldn’t be allowed to drag on and become a long-term saga, writes Football Italia expert Alfredo Pedullà. 

Yildiz remains the talk of the town at Juventus, almost as if he were a problem, as if Juventus weren’t always going to be obliged to hand over a new and improved contract extension to a player they decided to entrust with the iconic no.10 shirt at the age of 19. 

As things stand, there is a small difference between Yildiz’s requests and the amount that Juventus are currently offering to pay the Turkish talent on a proposed new deal. 

But this doesn’t make much sense: What does a gap of around €700,000 or even €1m mean to a club of Juventus’s stature when we’re talking about a player who has already shown his talent and his commitment and importance to the club? What’s more is that Yildiz has made it clear he is keen to stay on in Turin. 

There had been rumours circling in January, with agent Jorge Mendes claiming that there had been nine-figure offers for the Juve star the summer prior, pointing to an inquiry from Premier League side Chelsea. 

And this is why renewing Yildiz’s contract, for at least another five years, should not become a problem for the Old Lady. Otherwise, everything gets called into question.