The Lady evaluates possible sacrifices in attack to finance the market. The plots that lead to Koopmeiners, Gudmundsson and Ferguson, while Felipe Anderson…
– Turin
Juventus’ pursuit is not over. Once a run at Inter has faded, Continassa is planning another one in view of next season. The return to the Europe that counts and the possibility of qualifying for the rich 2025 Club World Cup will give the Lady a good boost. But to finance the market some goodbyes will still be necessary. Between the 80-100 million expected from the Super Champions League and the possible 50 million for access to the World Cup, already official in the event of the elimination of Lazio and Naples with Bayern and Barcelona, the Bianconeri expect to collect a little treasure from the transfers. February is not yet a time for certainties. But the feeling, judging by drafts, movements and contracts, is that at this moment there are several potential suspects to be sacrificed in the name of the budget and the purchasing campaign. Watch out for Matias Soulé and Federico Chiesa, for example. The Argentine and the Italian could be alternatives, but also not: everything (or almost everything) will depend on the size of the offers that arrive at Juventus. Revenues that could facilitate director Cristiano Giuntoli’s pursuit of his main targets: from Teun Koopmeiners (Atalanta) to Lewis Ferguson (Bologna), from Albert Gudmundsson (Genoa) to Felipe Anderson, who is on the verge of a release from Lazio.
Ratings
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If Soulé’s 10 goals in his loan spell at Frosinone have attracted the attention of several English clubs – Crystal Palace and Southampton – Chiesa’s contract expiry (2025) is raising the eyebrows of more than one club. Everything can change quickly in the market. And Juventus, despite Federico’s difficult 2024 (just one goal), has not yet lost hope of reaching a “renewed bridge”, until 2026. In the last month, Chiesa has often met with his agent Fali Ramadani , also in Turin on Sunday for Juventus-Frosinone, when a few whistles rained down from the stands of the Stadium. The prolongation of marriage seems less and less certain. If it comes to a divorce, the Bianconeri will try to monetize as much as possible. No less than 30-40 million, with the European Championship as a potential ally. At that point for Soulé a lot will depend on the proposals that arrive. Juventus could sell one (Chiesa) and focus on the other (Soulé) – and vice versa – or cash in on both. That will only be understood between spring and summer.
From Koop to Ferguson
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Yes, sell to buy and get closer to Inter. Starting from midfield. Giuntoli’s big target remains Atalanta’s Koopmeiners. The 25-year-old Dutch all-rounder has already scored 10 goals between Serie A and the Italian Cup, more than all the Juventus midfielders put together. Soulé, valued at around 35 million and also appreciated by the Nerazzurri, could facilitate the Lady’s move to Koop. Alongside the former Az Alkmaar, the prices of Ferguson are reported to be rising, quoted at 25-30 million by Bologna and not necessarily an alternative to Koopmeiners. It will depend on the money collected from the sales and whether or not Adrien Rabiot will be renewed, who is expiring in June and has ended up on Bayern’s radar in recent weeks. The Juventus managers, waiting to sit at the table with agent Bill McMurdo, met Ferguson’s Italian intermediaries in Milan in recent days (they are the same agents as Gatti) to get updates on the 25-year-old Scot, already scorer of 5 goals and 5 assists on Thiago Motta’s court. Sudakov (Shakhtar), Samardzic (Udinese) and Ederson (Atalanta) remain under special observation – and valid alternatives.
And in attack?
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The sacrifice of Soulé or Chiesa – or both if the offers are indispensable – would increase the space for Kenan Yildiz, considered untouchable and ready to sign a contract renewal. But Juventus won’t stop at the 18-year-old Turkish player. If Felipe Anderson on a free transfer can become an opportunity under certain conditions, Continassa continues to follow Gudmundsson from Genoa. And the relationships between the Bianconeri and Rossoblù are excellent.
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