Juventus Transfers: Three Serie B clubs want Nicolò Fagioli
Juventus have made a timid start to their 2021 summer transfer window. The club’s finances have been wrecked heavily by the ill consequences of the pandemic. The outcome of COVID-19 has been so alarming that Juventus — always regarded as one of the favourites for every three major titles in Italy and the Champions League — haven’t been able to land a new name this summer so far. Surely it is not a coincidence.
Juventus are looking almost certain of signing Manuel Locatelli from Sassuolo. But what’s next, Miralem Pjanic? The Bosnian has been constantly linked with a summer move back to Juventus. Considering Barcelona’s positive stance on the deal, it wouldn’t be a shock if Pjanic were to return to Turin sooner or later.
Nicolò Fagioli is likely to leave Juventus in search of some regular game time…
The midfield was a perpetual conundrum for Juve last season, with players such as Aaron Ramsey, Adrien Rabiot, and Rodrigo Bentancur failing to keep their consistency on the pitch. Accordingly, the club needs a complete overhaul this summer. But an overhaul would also mean fewer chances to those who are already behind the likes of Weston McKennie, Ramsey, Rabiot, and Bentancur in the pecking order.
Sensing that there could potentially be some competition for places within the team, Juventus are now tempted to send some of their young prodigies out on loan, giving them the opportunities to carry on with their individual development.
According to SerieBNews.com (via TuttoJuve.com), three Serie B clubs in Parma, Lecce, and Cremonese are interested in signing Nicolò Fagioli on a season-long loan deal. Beginning his footballing journey at Piacenza, Fagioli joined the Juventus academy from Cremonese in 2015.
How has been Fagioli’s journey to the senior team?
Possessing eye-catching abilities, Fagioli soon inspired the academy coaches at Juve, consequently getting promoted through the ranks. Having shown domination in U17 and U19 levels for the Bianconeri, Fagioli, at the age of 17, made his debut for Juventus U23 three years ago.
It was only time before he received the call from the manager of the senior side. Andrea Pirlo provided him with his first appearance in the senior colours, with Fagioli starting Juve’s 4–0 Coppa Italia win over SPAL in January 2021. One month later, he made his Serie A debut as a substitute in a 3–0 victory over Crotone.
In all these years at the club, Fagioli — as shown by the numbers in Transfermarkt — has played over a ton of matches across all kinds of competitions and for all sorts of age groups. Now, he is expected to move on loan to furbish his strengths further and amass the valuable experience of playing among the men.
What can we expect from a loan deal?
An attacking midfielder by trade, Nicolò Fagioli is only 20 — meaning he, by no means, is a finished article. There is a vast room for him to work upon. At Parma, he would find an old-faced Gianluigi Buffon, who made his journey from Juventus to his childhood club earlier this summer.
Facing relegation having finished last in Serie 2020/21 points table, Parma are adamant to strengthen their squad for this forthcoming Serie B season. They reportedly intend to go back to the top tier of Italian football as soon as possible. Even if that aspiration doesn’t come to fulfilment, it would nonetheless be an adventurous stint for Fagioli.
Getting relegated from Serie A in the 2019/20 campaign, Lecce spent their last season in the second tier of the Italian footballing landscape. They were close to securing the promotion. But, in the semi-finals of the promotion play-offs, they succumbed to 2-1 aggregate defeat at the hands of newly-promoted Venezia. Lecce will be vying to take their club back to Serie A this term.
dark. Next. Gianluca Frabotta is Hellas Verona bound
If that also doesn’t fascinate Fagioli or Juventus, the 20-year-old could return to his former club in Cremonese — the Italian second-tier team who finished the last season from the 13th position. Having played there before, Fagioli would be aware of the club’s setup and how some particular things work there. He would also be able to adapt to the environment with much ease. That being said, the ultimate decision will be taken by the club and soon enough.