Tottenham Hotspur are already looking ahead as they plan the next phase of their rebuild, with reports suggesting the club are closely monitoring Juventus star Kenan Yildiz as a possible marquee signing in 2026.
Contract talks between the player and the Italian giants have stalled, and that has opened the door for some of Europe’s biggest clubs to begin circling. Spurs are said to be among those paying serious attention as they search for long-term solutions in attack.
The current season has been far from smooth for Tottenham under new manager Thomas Frank. Despite an impressive summer transfer window that brought in exciting names such as Kota Takai, João Palhinha, Mohammed Kudus, Xavi Simons and Randal Kolo Muani, consistency has been hard to find.
The squad has quality, but injuries and sudden changes have disrupted momentum, leaving the team struggling to fully click when it matters most.
The departure of club captain Heung-Min Son in the summer left a huge gap, both in terms of goals and leadership. That void has been made even more obvious by fitness problems affecting key attacking players like Dominic Solanke, Dejan Kulusevski and James Maddison.
As a result, Tottenham have often looked short of ideas in the final third, forcing the recruitment team to explore multiple attacking options for the future.
One of those options appeared to be Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo. Tottenham reportedly made a strong push for the Ghanaian, offering a generous salary package in an attempt to beat off competition from other Premier League sides.
However, that plan quickly fell apart. Semenyo chose to reject Spurs and instead opted for a move to Manchester City, with the deal expected to be wrapped up early in January once his £65 million release clause expires. His decision has forced Tottenham back to the drawing board.
With Semenyo no longer available, attention has now shifted towards Kenan Yildiz, one of the most exciting young talents in European football. The 20-year-old has been making waves at Juventus with his creativity, confidence and maturity well beyond his age.
However, his long-term future in Turin is far from settled. Yildiz is believed to be asking for a new deal worth around €5 million net per year, which would place him among the club’s top earners. Juventus are currently reluctant to meet those demands, and negotiations have reached a standstill.
This uncertainty has not gone unnoticed. Several elite clubs are monitoring the situation closely, and Tottenham are reportedly ready to act if an opportunity presents itself.
The club are said to be willing to meet Yildiz’s wage expectations, seeing him as a potential cornerstone of their attack for years to come. His numbers this season only add to the excitement, with six goals and seven assists in 21 appearances across competitions, a strong return for such a young player.
Yildiz has already been tipped by some observers as a future Ballon d’Or contender, and while that may sound bold, his talent is undeniable. He is direct, fearless, and technically gifted, capable of beating defenders and creating chances from wide areas. These qualities are exactly what Tottenham have been missing on the left flank this season.
Since Son’s exit, the left-wing position has been a problem area for Thomas Frank. Richarlison has looked more comfortable operating centrally, while Wilson Odobert and Xavi Simons have struggled to truly make the role their own. The balance has been off, and Spurs have lacked a consistent threat cutting in from the left.
Bringing in a player like Yildiz would be a huge statement of intent. Despite his age, he already carries himself like a star and has the potential to grow into a world-class performer.
Such a move would also signal that Tottenham’s owners are ready to invest heavily in elite young talent if it means pushing the club back towards the top level.
Of course, competition for his signature would be fierce, and there are no guarantees Spurs could win the race. But if the chance arises, Yildiz’s style, personality and ceiling make him a near-perfect fit for Tottenham’s needs. It is the kind of deal the club should be fully committed to, one that could shape their future for the next decade.
