Arsenal news: World Cup star 'welcomes' interest as Real Madrid make transfer U-turn

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The countdown to the new Premier League season is underway following the unveiling of the fixture list. Arsenal will kick off the defence of their crown against newly-promoted Coventry City on Friday, August 21.

By then, the champions will have been active in the transfer market, with both arrivals and departures on the cards this summer. The market is rather quiet at the moment as the World Cup takes centre stage.

However, feverish work is going on behind the scenes to ensure Mikel Arteta's side is as ready as possible for 2026/27, with Manchester City , Liverpool and Chelsea looking for fresh starts under new management.

Meanwhile, Gunners fans will be keeping an eye on the 15 players currently with their international sides in North America, especially the England contingent of Declan Rice , Noni Madueke, Eberechi Eze and Bukayo Saka . As the tournament continues, here's a round-up of the latest Arsenal news…

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Kenan Yildiz has reportedly welcomed the Gunners' continued interest in him. The Turkey star, who has been repeatedly linked with Arsenal, only signed a new contract with Juventus in February, tying him to the Turin giants until 2030.

Juve will have hoped that would have shut down speculation over his future. However, having failed to qualify for the Champions League , they may need a cash injection, and Yildiz is the player who could command the biggest fee.

According to TuttoSport , the Gunners have explored a move in 'recent weeks' while Yildiz views the Emirates as a 'welcome destination'. In turn, the Old Lady's majority shareholder, John Elkann, is said to have given short shrift to Arsenal's advances. However, if needs must, Juve may feel compelled to cash in on the 21-year-old.

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Real Madrid's interest in Riccardo Calafiori has cooled after the Gunners slapped a monster price tag on the Italian. One of the most coveted defenders on the continent, Calafiori has attracted interest from Los Blancos , who are rebuilding under Jose Mourinho following a dire season in which they failed to win a trophy.

However, Marc Cucurella's £52million switch to the Bernabeu, combined with a £78m bid for Manchester City's Ruben Dias , has taken a sizeable chunk out of Real's transfer war chest.

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Despite landing Ibrahima Konate from Liverpool on a free transfer, the centre-back's wages will further eat into whatever remaining budget is at Mourinho's disposal.

With £130million already committed, should the Dias deal cross the line, Arsenal's £86m valuation of Calafiori may simply prove too steep, particularly with reinforcements still required in other positions across the pitch.