We’ve barely caught our breaths from a wild end to the winter mercato and rumours are already emerging over Juventus’ plans for the summer.
The Bianconeri have been regarded as the overwhelming victors of the January transfer window after the club shifted a few disposable pieces while adding genuine quality to their ranks.
The stunning move for Dusan Vlahovic ignited a hectic culmination to the window for Juve, who allowed Dejan Kulusevski and Aaron Ramsey to leave on loan – likely to never return – and signed Denis Zakaria as Rodrigo Bentancur’s replacement. The club were also able to secure a much-needed centre-back for the future in Federico Gatti, who has been loaned back to Frosinone for the remainder of the season.
The rebuilding process was finally accepted by the Bianconeri hierarchy following Cristiano Ronaldo’s exit last summer and the 2022 January window may well prove to be a watershed period in the club’s pursuit of returning to the forefront of not only Italian but European football as well.
And Juventus are showing no signs of letting up.
Juventus may make a move for AS Roma’s Nicolo Zaniolo in the summer transfer window
Di mercato torneremo a parlarne in estate. Però: la #Juve lavora per bloccare #Cambiaso? Sì. Monitora la situazione #Zaniolo? Sì, assolutamente. Prenderà un altro cc? Sì, assolutamente bis. Ora, però, pensiamo al calcio giocato 😬
— Romeo Agresti (@romeoagresti) February 1, 2022
Not even 24 hours had passed since the closure of the January mercato before the reliable Romeo Agresti was teasing Juventus fans over a potentially busy summer transfer window for the Bianconeri.
The Goal Italia reporter understands that Juve are monitoring Zaniolo’s situation in Rome with the club potentially eyeing up a summer move. The 22-year-old Italian is slowly returning to his most destructive form under Jose Mourinho after enduring a pair of knee surgeries in 2020.
Zaniolo has nine goal contributions this season, three of which have come in his last two outings. There’s a spring in the powerful playmaker’s step once more, that’s for sure.
Nevertheless, any move for the precocious Giallorossi star would surely rule out a renewal of Paulo Dybala’s contract considering how much it’d cost to prise Zaniolo away from the capital. Talks are set to continue with Dybala’s entourage soon over an extension.
However, Zaniolo may not be the only option Juventus have to potentially replace Dybala. Last month, La Gazzetta Dello Sport reporter Giovanni Albanese said that crafty Sassuolo creator Giacomo Raspadori was one to “keep an eye on” in the summer.
I suppose we’ll have an inkling of Juve’s summer plans when Jorge Antun returns for talks with the club’s hierarchy in the coming weeks.