Arsenal identify £85m winger as new top transfer target as Vini Jr makes his decision

Arsenal are ready to turn to another of Europe's best wingers after missing out on top transfer target Vinicius Junior.

After finally winning the Premier League for the first time under Mikel Arteta, it was widely expected that Arsenal would be one of the busiest clubs in the transfer market this summer.

However, so far the reigning champions have been one of the quietest clubs in the market, with Piero Hincapie signing a permanent deal following an impressive loan at the Emirates before new backup keeper Ilan Meslier joined as a free agent and Christos Tzolis signed from Club Brugge in a deal worth £34million.

In what would have undoubtedly been the biggest move of the summer, Arsenal had been targeting a blockbuster signing of Real Madrid superstar Vinicius Junior, amid reports he could leave the Bernabeu this summer.

Contract negotiations between the Brazilian and Vinicius had reportedly stalled due to several key demands, including a controversial renewal bonus that Real Madrid feared could create a knock-on effect among the rest of the squad.

But, after weeks of hopeful pursuit Arsenal's chances of signing Vinicius were shattered when Real Madrid announced on Thursday that two parties have agreed to extend his deal by a further six years, keeping him at the club untilJune 2032.

"Eight years at the Bernabeu are too short... Six more years, and then forever," Vinicius wrote on Instagram

"Vinicius Jr has become one of the most important players in one of the most successful periods in our history," Real Madrid added in a statement.

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The news means Arsenal will now have to turn their attention elsewhere as they continue to look for a new forward to add to their attacking options before the window closes on September 1.

And according to a new report, they've already identified the perfect fit...

Arsenal targeting £85m Juventus star as Vinicius Junior replacement

As reported by The Times, Arsenal are now preparing to make a stunning move for Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz, having made an initial enquiry earlier this summer.

It's believed that Arsenal contacted the Serie A giants back in June about a potential move, but it was made clear that they had no interest in selling the highly-rated Turkey international.

But now that they've missed out on Vinicius, Arsenal will reportedly double down on their efforts to sign the 21-year-old Juventus star, who received Serie A’s ‘Rising Star’ award for the best Under-23 player in the division last season.

However, with Yildiz currently under contract at the Allianz Stadium until 2030, having signed a new contract in February, any deal for Yildiz will be far from cheap.

Last year, it was widely reported that Juventus demanded a €100m (£85.7m) transfer fee for the winger last summer amid interest from several Premier League sides including Chelsea and Man United.

"He is a very important footballer for us,’ Juventus head coach, Luciano Spalletti, said this week.

"For this reason, we are carefully managing his playing time, trying to build a correct schedule and work path to have him at his best throughout the season. But the fact that he is no longer in pain, that he is smiling and free to express his football is what makes us most happy."

And should Arsenal convince Juventus to consider selling Yildiz this summer, it would no doubt attract the attention of several other European sides, prompting a fierce transfer battle that could define the end of the window.