Who should Juventus swap for Atalanta’s Robin Gosens?
On Sunday, Juventus will face one of the best teams in Serie A in Atalanta, and they will get another opportunity to evaluate Robin Gosens in person. The German international has been one of Europe’s most underrated players over the past two seasons, breaking out as a star player for Gian Piero Gasperini’s outfit.
Gosens has nine goals and five assists in the league this season, and he is a true two-way left midfielder. That position happens to be a problem spot for the Bianconeri right now, and the club has been eyeing Gosens since last summer.
It won’t be easy to sign him, though. Gosens will cost about 40 million euros, as he is important to Atalanta and one of the best players in Serie A. He is worth that money, yes, but Juventus are strapped for cash in these times. And while Gosens would be a great signing, Juve’s first priority is to sign a center midfielder. Manuel Locatelli tops the list.
So in order to acquire Gosens, Juve may have to score a swap deal with Atalanta. One obvious name on the list is Cristian Romero, whom Atalanta will almost certainly keep permanently. He has been amazing at center back this season for the Bergamo side, and he is a class above the rest of Gasperini’s defenders. Romero could be used to reduce the price. And Tuttosport reports, via JuventusNews24, that loaned-out goalkeeper Mattia Perin of Genoa could be used as well.
Juventus’ swap options with Atalanta are limited
Perin and Romero would be long-term starters for Atalanta, so acquiring defensive help in exchange for a top left midfielder would not be lopsided. But Juve may have to add a little more cash to the deal, since quality matters more than quantity. That is to say, one Gosens is worth more than Perin and Romero, as the latter already has an option to buy in his loan deal.
Who else could Juve add in besides Perin? The options are limited. Adrien Rabiot and Aaron Ramsey are expendable, but they are not fits for Atalanta, who surely would not want either’s wage on their bill.
No forward stands out either. Defensively, Merih Demiral is too valuable to trade, and the fullbacks would not interest Atalanta at all. I could never imagine Gasperini wanting somebody declining like Alex Sandro on his left side.
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So logistically, it is tricky to set up a swap deal with Atalanta. Perin is a good name to throw in there, but the operation will likely require the Bianconeri to part with cash. It all depends on what other moves Juventus can make this summer, particularly sales. But signing Gosens should be important to Juve, given his qualities and the club’s pressing need for help on the left side.