Former Juventus bosses chase midfielder likened to Marchisio

The Bianconeri could be missing a trick by allowing yet another former Next Gen star to slip through their fingers.
Juve's Fabio Miretti could be reunited with a familiar face at AC Milan or Napoli
Juve's Fabio Miretti could be reunited with a familiar face at AC Milan or Napoli | Jonathan Moscrop/GettyImages

With Igor Tudor’s clear-out approach not dissimilar to the harsh offloading by Thiago Motta last summer, surely Juve should be a bit more wary.

Tudor’s no-nonsense style has resulted in numerous players being informed that they are surplus to requirements. Yet there’s been no concrete interest in anyone except wantaway striker Dusan Vlahovic, but the Serbian has turned down approaches from the Saudi Pro League and Turkish Super Lig.

With Motta splashing the cash on rebuilding his midfield, bringing in Teun Koopmeiners, Douglas Luiz and Khephren Thuram, he sent Fabio Miretti on a season-long loan to Genoa.

While there were dismal debut seasons in Serie A for Dutch star Koopmeiners and Brazilian Luiz, who each cost the Turin titans a small fortune, Thuram was a class act in a Juve jersey.

Koopmeiners was publicly criticized by Tudor but, unless a big offer arrives, should get a second shot or face being moved on during the winter transfer window.

Luiz is expected to return to the Premier League, having shone for five years at Aston Villa, while Thuram has proved to be a strong asset.

Out of Tudor's thoughts

This leaves versatile midfielder Fabio Miretti expecting to seek a new club, as the 21-year-old is surprisingly not in Tudor’s plans.

Antonio Conte’s Napoli and Max Allegri’s AC Milan have both shown interest. The two ex-Juventus head coaches see potential in a player who has already made 75 appearances for the Bianconeri.

Strong performances with the Primavera and Juventus Next Gen saw Miretti elevated to the first team. His initial three appearances as a late substitute were extremely brief. Miretti’s debut was the Champions League win over Malmo FF, followed by short Serie A run-outs against Salernitana and Sassuolo.

A spate of injuries propelled Miretti to make his maiden start against Venezia, with the then 18-year-old setting up both goals in the 2-1 success.

He ended the 2021/22 campaign with six Serie A appearances, and over the next two seasons managed another 52 top tier matches for Juve.

Comparisons to Marchisio

His solid performances earned him plaudits and comparisons with former Juventus and Italy midfielder maestro Claudio Marchisio. 

With Motta installed and Miretti unwanted, the youngster spent last term at Genoa. He racked up 25 league outings as an attacking midfielder and central midfielder.

With another new club on the horizon for Miretti, Juve will be kicking themselves if they sell him and he blossoms into something special. Defender Dean Huijsen was allowed to leave the Bianconeri last summer, and was so exceptional at AFC Bournemouth that he was snapped up by Real Madrid.

AC Milan and Napoli beckon

Miretti has two exciting options, with AC Milan and reigning Serie A champions Napoli biting at the bit to sign him.

Allegri, who handed Miretti his senior debut at Juventus and persisted with him, is at the helm of ambitious Milan.

Napoli sporting director Giovanni Manna oversaw Miretti’s development at Juventus Next Gen, and recommended him to Conte.

It will be intriguing to see whether Juve will be more circumspect this summer about emerging stars leaving, and loan out Miretti to develop his skills rather than take the money and run of only around €15 million (US$17.5m).