With Juve showing vast improvement from their pre-season opening stalemate against AC Reggiana, head coach Igor Tudor is still in the market to upgrade his squad.
With the club keen to improve on last year’s Champions League display as well as becoming Serie A contenders, they need to bring in some top-notch players.
Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, a former Spezia star, has been a long-term target for Juventus, who have only ever been put off by his asking price of around €50 million (US$58.5m).
At the moment this figure is out of reach for the cash-strapped Serie A giants unless they can sell some players.
There are potential big bucks to be made from the exits of midfielder Douglas Luiz and striker Dusan Vlahovic, although no concrete bids have been made and the duo were highly praised by Tudor following the recent festive friendly against Juventus Next Gen.
If unsettled defender Kelly, who only arrived in February from Newcastle United, can find a new club then Juve will contemplate swooping for Kiwior if he remains available.
Kelly’s contract runs until 2029, with Sunderland the only team to indicate interest in the 25-year-old who could be snapped up for just €20 (US$23.4m).
Kelly unloved by many Juve fans
He is certainly not a fan favorite, despite Tudor persisting with him, and last season fans on numerous Juventus forums considered him to be the club’s worst signing ever.
In stark contrast Poland center-back Kiwior is loved at Arsenal by supporters and the managerial team. There is no desperation to sell Kiwior, who arrived for €19.5m (US$22.8m) in January 2023 from Spezia.
He played 43 matches for the Italian minnows, but just 68 games in an Arsenal jersey so is keen to get regular playing time in a bid to cement his place in the Poland team ahead of next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.
Arsenal are open to substantial offers, and are unlikely to let him leave for under double the amount they paid.
Juventus admire versatile Kiwior
Kiwior’s versatility, he can also be utilized as a defensive midfielder and at left-back, makes him an attractive proposition for Juventus.
Yet former Juve boss Max Allegri has also set his sights on the Arsenal bit-player, which has propelled Arsenal into preparing an improved contract to keep him in the Premier League.
As Kiwior appearances are limited at Arsenal, being back-up to Gabriel and William Saliba, FC Porto have been contemplating making a bid for over a month.
The reality is that Juventus must receive money from player sales to finance transfers, which is why bargain buys and free agents have been considered as well as retaining their current squad members.