It has been a tricky summer transfer window for the Turin titans, which surely must be frustrating head coach Igor Tudor almost as much as the club’s fans.
The club’s transfer list is jam-packed and, despite having recently resumed training, Juve are financially short of being about to introduce new players before their back-to-back friendlies.
Juventus host a behind closed doors contest against Serie B side AC Reggiana at the Continassa on Saturday, followed by a clash in Germany against Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund on 10 August.
There is a small transfer kitty as well as finances following their labored FIFA Club World Cup campaign, with Juve lagging behind their Serie A rivals ahead of the Allianz Stadium season opener against Parma on 24 August.
Juventus and Napoli have shown long-term interest in a pair of left-backs, Miguel Gutierrez and Maximilian Mittelstädt.
Gutierrez has a €35 million (US$40m) release clause, but it is believed Girona are willing to sell him for around €25m (US$28.5m). He was anticipating a return to Real Madrid, who sold him three years ago and have a buy-back clause worth €8m (US$9.1m) as well as a 50% future sell-on clause.
The Spanish powerhouse turned down the option to bring him back to the Bernabeu as they recently signed Alvaro Carreras from Benfica.
Beaten by former Juventus bosses
Real have approved Gutierrez’s transfer this summer with AC Milan, led by ex-Juve chief Max Allegri, joining his admirers for a three-team race to sign the 24-year-old.
Napoli, who have shown interest in Gutierrez ever since former Juve boss Antonio Conte took the hot-seat, look favorites to land the left-back having offered him a five-year contract with the Serie A champions.
A deal seems close with Girona, although the player has yet to finalize an agreement over his salary that could end up with AC Milan stepping up their pursuit while cash-strapped Juventus do not yet have the funds to compete.
Gutierrez would have been an asset for Juventus as he is an end-to-end player renowned for his crossing ability, precision passing and setting up goal-scoring chances.
Stuttgart star commits his future
VfB Stuttgart’s left-back Mittelstädt was a priority signing for Atletico Madrid, Juve and Napoli this summer. Yet the 28-year-old has today committed his career with the German heavyweights, having only played two sides with the club since he joined from Hertha Berlin.
Mittelstädt’'s contract with Stuttgart has been extended until June 2028, with his club slapping a price tag of €20m (US$22.8m).
Left-back Sergio Reguilon, a graduate of Real Madrid's youth academy, is a free agent after his contract recently expired at Tottenham Hotspur.
He made 73 Premier League appearances for Spurs, and although he has been offered to Juventus there is no news on their interest in the former Spain international who lifted the 2024/25 Europa League trophy.