Juventus will need to make a handful of sales in the summer 2021 transfer market, as clearing out wage space and making a few swaps or sales will help the Bianconeri acquire the star talent they are looking for. They have huge needs in midfield, both in the center of the pitch and on the left-hand side. And that’s not to mention their search for another striker to help out the attack.
Federico Bernardeschi is one player at a position of need who could make way so that Juventus can sign a better player on the left side of midfield. This past summer and winter, Bernardeschi rejected all of Juve’s efforts to sell or trade him. He was even rumored in swap deal negotiations with Atalanta playmaker Papu Gomez, who eventually went to Sevilla.
It won’t be easy to find teams who can afford Bernardeschi, because the top-level sides won’t be interested in a player who has not been remotely effective at the club level since his Fiorentina days. He is not a useless player, but he is not nearly productive enough to play for a top club. Hence why Juventus seem interested in parting ways with him.
According to reports in France, via Calciomercato.com, Marseille are the latest club to show interest in Federico Bernardeschi. But Calciomercato admits the operation would be difficult for the storied Ligue 1 club, due to the current economic situation. I am assuming this is in reference to Bernardeschi’s wages, though Juve may also want a chunk of cash in exchange for a player who does have rebound potential.
Could Juventus trade Federico Bernardeschi to Marseille for someone?
Bernardeschi has, yet again, failed to score to this point in the season. He does have two assists to his name in Serie A, and he is playing a less attacking role as either a left-sided wide midfielder in a 4-4-2 or even a left back. Bernardeschi works hard for the team and is versatile, so he is not bad in a backup role. But his technique and passing accuracy in the final third are seriously underwhelming, particularly for the Juventus level.
We’ll see if anything comes of these links to Marseille, but it is unlikely. Bernardeschi might not be a starter there, considering Dimitri Payet and Florian Thauvin are the wingers, though the latter will probably need to be replaced this summer. The situation is fluid, so keep an eye out.
Marseille are especially interesting to think about for one final reason. Arkadiusz Milik. The striker was a top Juventus target last summer while at Napoli, but Napoli would not sell him to their Serie A rivals at a reasonable price. Perhaps Juve can get a swap done for Milik, using Bernardeschi. Just a thought.