Juventus: Ranking the top transfer targets for Bianconeri this summer
Midfielders (The most crucial section for Juventus this summer)
“Midfield is where the game’s likely to be won and lost” — this is an evergreen maxim in the world of football analysis, and you may have heard it a thousand times so far. What this one line tries to reflect is indeed true. There is no success without a strong midfield.
The stronger the midfield, the better the results will follow. In this department, Juventus massively lacked consistency in the previous season. Juventus had well-established international professionals such as Arthur, Rodrigo Bentancur, Adrien Rabiot, Aaron Ramsey, and Weston McKennie.
But despite all that, there was no coherence and sense of clarity amongst the players in the centre of the park, which resulted in Juventus frequently conceding in transition and struggling to retain possession.
This time, the club aims to rebuild the core of the midfield, as suggested by the large number of targets that have come to pass. Let’s begin measuring their chances of getting into Allegri’s squad for the forthcoming 2021/22 campaign then!
Manuel Locatelli (4/5): When is the wait going to end? We want to know as well. Juventus have been looking to complete a move for the Sassuolo midfielder for some time now. The interest was there even before Locatelli’s brace against Switzerland in Euro 2020. Arsenal, having witnessed the charisma of the 23-year-old phenomenon in the European Championship, became so tempted that they went on to launch a bid of around €40 million. But Locatelli has other thoughts, the dream of donning the prestigious white and black shirt one day meant he declined their offer before it could sneak into Sassuolo’s office. Tuttosport (via Tuttomercatoweb.com) claims that Juventus will meet Sassuolo soon to resolve the case once and for all. Manuel Locatelli is therefore destined to join Juventus.
Miralem Pjanić (3/5): Pjanić has proved to be a burden on Barcelona’s economy. Despite the Bosnian being bound to Barca’s terms until June 2024, the Blaugrana are willing to let him go at a cheap price, only to swipe his humongous salary off their yearly records. Even though fans don’t like it, Allegri has a hidden admiration for the 31-year-old. There have also been talks of signing him on a season-long loan deal. However, Juve want to sell Aaron Ramsey first. Would the deal ultimately get over the line? We will see.
Houssem Aouar (3/5): Houssem Aouar has been linked with a move to Turin since the initiation of the last January transfer window. Juventus want the Frenchman, as reported by Tuttomercatoweb.com. But the list of his potential suitors includes several top European clubs, who are in a better place financially than Juventus right now. On top of Locatelli, the signing of Aouar would be deemed as a rational move. But it would only be possible if Juventus were to recuperate some funds by selling some of the wantaway players, who are also surplus to Allegri’s requirements.
Leandro Paredes (3/5): Juve will be without Arthur for the next three months as the Brazilian has recently undertaken a much-needed surgery on his right leg. The name of Leandro Paredes has since been in the air. A story from La Repubblica (via Football Italia) mentions that Juventus have identified Paris Saint-Germain’s Paredes as an astute option to cover the absence of Arthur. The Bianconeri are understood to have inquired for a loan deal with an option to make the transfer permanent next summer. Paredes has a ferocious approach on the field, and his determination to win the ball back could be a huge help to Juventus. With a player of Paredes’ ilk, it is always worth taking a chance.
Paul Pogba (2/5): Paul Pogba has entered the last 12 months of his prevailing contract at Manchester United. The Mancunian club dreams of keeping him under their rank, but he and his agent, Mino Raiola, are taking time to decide upon whether to put pen to an extension or leave for free next summer. Juventus, alongside Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain, have been a silent observer of the situation. Pogba, currently on £290,000-per-week wages, will demand a considerable increase to his current salary while joining a new club. Plus, United will charge an additional transfer fee. Under these circumstances, hence, we can’t see a reunion taking place between Pogba and his former club Juventus.
Philippe Coutinho (2/5): ESPN (via Tuttojuve.com) were quick to link Juventus with Barcelona playmaker Philippe Coutinho when the news emerged that La Blaugrana would have to reduce a large chunk of their annual wage bill (expected to be around €200 million) before the start of the 2021/22 La Liga campaign. Besides Juventus, AC Milan are also told to be interested in signing the Brazilian, who joined the Catalan club for an initial transfer fee of £105 million in 2018. Juventus must stay away from this deal, why? Please, consider reading through our detailed synopsis of the situation.
Jorginho (1/5): Following his notable struggles under the supervision of Frank Lampard, Jorginho found redemption as soon as Thomas Tuchel became the manager of the Chelsea football club. Jorginho had an outstanding end to the season, winning the Champions League with the Blues, and had an even better off-season, where he led Italy to their Euro victory. His market value has since gone skyrocketing. He seems untouchable to not only Juventus but any other club across the continent.