Arsenal are reportedly exploring a swap deal for Kenan Yildiz that could see Gabriel Martinelli move to Juventus, as Mikel Arteta looks to finalise his transfer activity in the final 10 days of the summer window. The Gunners have already signed Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for £75million and Ezri Konsa from Aston Villa for £51m, following the arrival of back-up goalkeeper Illan Meslier as a free agent and the £34m signing of Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge. Tzolis notched two assists in his competitive debut, a 3-0 win over Manchester City in the Community Shield.
Ferdinand praises 'magnificent signing'
Rio Ferdinand has given Arsenal's signing of Ezri Konsa his stamp of approval. When analysing Konsa's £51m move from Aston Villa, the Manchester United legend called it 'magnificent' and claimed paying such a fee for the England international is a 'steal'.
Ferdinand said on his YouTube channel: 'I think this is a magnificent signing. A player in his prime who knows exactly who he is and what he is. There's no frills about him. He's a solid, really, really, really good Premier League defender.'
'I think it's an absolute steal in today's market. 28 years old, minimum four or five years of really, really solid, dependable service, and he provides vital cover in two areas: centre-half and right-back.'
'You've got Ben White, who seems fit now, but has had injuries in the right-back area. You've got Timber, who hasn't been able to stay fit as well, and William Saliba's injury concerns as well.'
'He's going to be great cover. Someone who can come in there and just play straight away, no questions asked. And that versatility at the top level, the reliability as well, both right-back and centre-half, absolute steal.'
He concluded: 'If you go and get him, that just reinforces why I think Arsenal are going to go and win the league again, because it's a sensible and very good signing.'
Yildiz-Martinelli swap deal mooted
Arsenal's pursuit of Kenan Yildiz could see them offer Juventus Gabriel Martinelli as part of a swap deal, according to a report. Arteta's desire to sign a world class left winger this summer is well known, with Juventus star Yildiz understood to be one of his dream acquisitions.
The Turkey international, 21, signed a new deal earlier this year which extended his contract until 2030. As a result, Juve are expected to demand a lofty fee for their talisman. The Independent reports that they would want upwards of £60m to part ways, though one potential solution that's been suggested is for Arsenal to send Martinelli in the opposite direction.
The report claims such a deal would require considerable negotiation, as swap deals often do. Arsenal have been open to offers for Martinelli this summer in order to balance the books as they look to land a statement attacking signing. They reportedly rejected a £38m bid from Galatasaray last week and are holding out for a bigger offer, despite the Brazilian winger preferring to remain in north London. Yildiz's £60m price tag would be a far more akin to how Arsenal value Martinelli, meaning a swap deal plus some cash could be used to tempt Juventus.
