Juventus transfer market, all Giuntoli’s names for midfield and attack

There is a real Juventus, to put it in Allegri’s words, that runs onto the pitch and will chase Inter until the end for the scudetto. And then there is the virtual one which for the moment is summarized in the notes and evaluations of the Juventus managers in view of the summer. Once one market session closes, another one already opens. And at Continassa, even more so after the direct clash at San Siro, they are aware that in the future the quality will have to be raised in general and in particular in midfield to get closer and perhaps overtake the Nerazzurri. The last minute arrival of Carlos Alcaraz, on loan from Southampton, is just an appetizer. Another couple of pieces (one or two will depend on Rabiot’s renewal and transfers) are scheduled for the next few months.

Koop on pole

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The first name on the list for the return to the Champions League is always Teun Koopmeiners. The Bianconeri would have liked to recruit the Dutch all-rounder in recent weeks. And there was also an approach at the end of December. But the failure to sell Matias Soulé (on loan to Frosinone and courted by the Premier League and Arabia) and Atalanta’s block forced both director Cristiano Giuntoli and coach Massimiliano Allegri to review the plans. So in the last 48 hours of negotiations the opportunity was seized to sign Alcaraz until June. A five-month rental to evaluate the 21-year-old Argentine closely and understand if he can become an investment for the future or just a passing player. In any case, Alcaraz or no Alcaraz, Continassa haven’t changed their minds about the 25-year-old Gasp student. Koopmeiners is considered the ideal concentration of quality, physicality and flexibility to change gear at midfield. Enough to budget for a significant expense given that Atalanta refused Napoli’s 48 million six months ago. An attempt will be made and the good relations between the two clubs lead to optimism. What is certain, however, is that nothing is certain in the market, especially in February and in a historical moment in which both in Arabia and in England they can break the bank at any moment.

The other names

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Juventus insists on Koop, who remains in pole position, but in the meantime they are also evaluating other names. A bit to protect yourself from possible pitfalls. And partly because Adrien Rabiot, the cornerstone of Allegri’s current midfielder, has his contract expiring and wants to wait until the end of the championship to talk about a new renewal. At Continassa they will wait for the Frenchman, hoping for an encore of last June’s extension, but they are keeping their antennas straight. Should something go wrong for Koopmeiners, the alternative could still come from Bergamo: Ederson remains on the list, a year younger than his teammate and also courted by Premier League clubs: Tottenham and Newcastle first and foremost. The other special observer in the midfield is Lewis Ferguson, a 24-year-old Scot who is the protagonist in Thiago Motta’s Bologna revelation. If Koopmeiners and Ederson are alternatives, the other positions depend on the renewal (or not) of Rabiot, the possible confirmation of Alcaraz and the offers for McKennie. Translated: if space is freed up in the squad, a double of the Koopmeiners plus Ferguson type cannot be ruled out. At Juventus, through the usual intermediaries, the possibility of Toni Kroos at zero was also put forward. No negotiations underway: also because at the moment the 35-year-old German is evaluating a possible one-year extension with Real Madrid. Should the white smoke not arrive, a new film could open in a few months, obviously at much lower prices than those of Real Madrid.

Fantasy

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More concrete, however, is the race for another player in danger of being released: Lazio’s Felipe Anderson. Yes, because in Juventus’ plans, alongside the idea of ​​increasing the quality in the middle of the pitch, there is also that of increasing technique, assists and unpredictability between the attacking midfield and attack. Especially if Federico Chiesa does not renew his contract expiring in 2025. Kenan Yildiz is untouchable and will be locked down (renewal soon), while the 30-year-old Brazilian is a zero-cost opportunity. For the possible post Chiesa, Alfred Gudmundsson also likes it. Genoa refused Fiorentina’s 25 million for the Icelandic. In June, around thirty could be needed, but Juventus has a wild card to bring to the table: that Enzo Barrenechea who took off thanks to the loan to Frosinone and was appreciated by the rossoblù.