Juve on Danso and Araujo for the defense: details and negotiations

January, it’s time for a change. Juventus must do it on the pitch to try to lift their mood and the rankings, after the defeat against Milan in the Super Cup and the last draw of 2024 in the championship against Fiorentina, Cristiano Giuntoli will try to do it by adding fresh forces to a team that they lost two defenders throughout the season, Bremer and Cabal, and in attack they still have to do without Milik. For this he needs to lengthen the squad. The winter market is a lifesaver that the Juventus management wants to take advantage of, even if economic resources are limited after the important investments made in the summer. Strengthening the defense, however, has become a priority, especially with Danilo’s early departure by choice of the club (his contract expires in June but he is no longer part of the project): just one player is not enough, two will be needed to extend the blanket available to Thiago Motta. Giuntoli’s goal is to achieve this in the shortest time possible. Already next week the Lady’s transfer man will try to close at least one deal. The favorite is always the same, David Hancko, but the new and very intriguing name is that of Ronald Araujo, defender of Barcelona. Antonio Silva and Kevin Danso also remain in the running, all profiles who have had the coach’s approval.

The expert

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In the next few days Giuntoli will try to understand which track is most viable and above all whether the conditions for a loan exist. In fact, the Bianconeri aim to carry out at least one of the two operations at low costs and must find support in the other club. Araujo is intriguing because he is a player with great experience and international standing. Right-footed centre-back, Uruguayan international, this season he has only made one appearance so far (in the Copa del Rey) due to a bad injury in the Copa America which kept him out for a long time. Giuntoli is trying to understand the feasibility of the deal: if Barcelona were open to a temporary transfer, Juventus would gladly take advantage of it. At the moment, however, there are no signs that the Spanish club wants to deprive him.

The chosen one

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For this reason the director continues to look elsewhere, and also because there are two defenders needed. For some time now the Juventus manager has been working to secure Hancko, a Slovakian from Feyenoord with a past at Fiorentina (only one season in 2018-19). Central defender who can play full-back, he is liked because he is left-footed and also for his flexibility. Juventus had already moved for June, obtaining the player’s yes and also reaching an agreement in principle with his entourage. Bremer’s injury changed the Bianconeri’s plans, forcing them to move forward. Hancko would gladly come to Turin already in this transfer window and has already let his club know, the problem is that Feyenoord are not currently willing to let him leave and in any case do not intend to offer discounts (valuation around 30 million). Giuntoli doesn’t give up and focuses on the player’s satisfaction, but the times may not be short.

The new idea

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Thus, another defender known to Serie A, who came close to it this summer, is back in fashion: the Austrian Danso, central defender of Lens, who has made 13 appearances this season. who in the summer was one step away from Roma (transfer skipped after medical visits). For him the Bianconeri would not go beyond the loan (the only one for whom they could make a financial sacrifice is Hancko).

The name is known

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Meanwhile, Jorge Mendes continues to work alongside Benfica for Antonio Silva, a Portuguese defender who is playing little and would like to move to Juventus. However, the club has already said no to the loan. However, the transfer market has only just begun, Juventus is in a hurry and anything can still happen.