Juve, Giuntoli on Luiz Henrique and Mavropanos

The new manager spoke to Pogba, insists on Milinkovic and Berardi and studies Napoli-style shots: here are all his ideas

A Brazilian, a Greek, a Spaniard… It’s not a joke. But if Juventus has bet on Cristiano Giuntoli, entrusting him with the keys to technical management for the next 5 years, it is also to return to winning on the pitch and in the balance sheet by following alternative and more courageous paths. A bit like the Scudetto formula successfully tested by the new Juventus manager in Naples. The new Lady will go through guaranteed blows such as Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Domenico Berardi could be, but also from the search for new ideas in the style of Kvaratskhelia and Kim. More risky intuitions, even unpopular at first sight.

An orientation that has already emerged from the first moves on the market. Timothy Weah, hired by sporting director Giovanni Manna before Giuntoli took office, was the first signing of the summer. But it won’t be the last bet. The new Juventus will start again from the 3-5-2, but at Continassa they are working to guarantee Massimiliano Allegri also the 3-4-3 variant. Hailed Angel Di Maria at the end of his contract – the 35-year-old Argentinian has already been presented by Benfica – the Juventus managers are looking around Italy and Europe for dribbling, imagination, ability in straits. Domenico Berardi is the option that intrigues the most, not the only one. A less glamorous alternative to the Sassuolo flag (13 appearances and 7 goals last season), plays in Spain. Luiz Henrique, the 22-year-old Brazilian winger of Betis, ended up on the Juventus radar. The green-gold left-handed is good at jumping man, has interesting shots and above all has ample room for improvement and sustainable costs. He earns less than half a million and has a valuation of 18-20 million, which can however be reduced through the possible inclusion of a technical counterpart. At Continassa they have not yet gone so far with their reasoning. Luiz Henrique, however, is taken into consideration. At this stage he is one of Berardi’s “plans b”, a bit like his Betis teammate: the 23-year-old Spaniard Rodri Sanchez. Much will depend on the future of Federico Chiesa, always in the thoughts of Newcastle and Liverpool. Between Berardi, Luiz Henrique and Rodri, darted the Danish Gustav Isaksen, 22 year old from Midtjylland also followed by Milan.

Juventus also keep their antennas straight on the defenders. A bit because the English rumors for Gleison Bremer can evolve into interesting if not indispensable offers. And partly because at Continassa they hope that Alex Sandro, despite the automatic renewal (it was linked to attendance), will find accommodation in Saudi Arabia. In addition to the expert Hermoso from Atletico Madrid (contract expiring in 2024), in the “house of Juve” they are thinking of Konstantinos Mavropanos, the 25-year-old defender from Stuttgart. The Greek ex Arsenal’s contract expires in 2025 and can leave the Bundesliga for around ten million.

After the renewal of Adrien Rabiot, the redemption of Arkadiusz Milik and the purchase of Weah, Juve wants to change gear in the transfers. Starting with that of redundancies. Center field is always England. West Ham insists on Zakaria, Wolverhampton seem to want to go deep for Arthur’s loan. Stalemate, however, for McKennie at Aston Villa. In reality, the most important offer could arrive shortly for Vlahovic: Chelsea are preparing the lunge, but watch out for Tottenham and Man. United. The Red Devils are also pressing on Hojlund (Atalanta), a centre-forward that Juve really like for the possible after Vlahovic. There are still many ideas at the moment: from Jonathan David of Lilla to Mateo Retegui, striker of Mancini’s Italy and Tigre (but owned by Boca Juniors), on which there is also Genoa. Giuntoli, Manna and Allegri, after the contacts of the last few days, will be able to meet in person in Turin from Monday. Selling and monetizing will also serve Juve to pursue Milinkovic, whose contract expires in 2024 with Lazio. The Serbian is the number one target in the event of Paul Pogba’s move, who took advantage of his early arrival at Continassa for a first chat with Giuntoli.

ttn-14