AC Milan, Manchester United, RB Leipzig have joined Juventus as the main admirers of the classy left-back who impressed during Club Brugge’s run to the last 16 of the Champions League.
Maxim de Cuyper was outstanding against Aston Villa, Atalanta, Manchester City as well as during January’s scoreless stalemate against Juve in continental competition. He scored a spectacular equaliser against Villa in their last 16 first leg, but finished on the losing side with a 3-1 home defeat.
De Cuyper, who has found the net three times and has six goal assists, would be of particular interest to Juventus should Manchester City swoop for versatile defender Andrea Cambiaso in the summer.
Cambiaso’s injury setbacks put off City’s interest during the January transfer window, although he remains high on the Premier League champions’ summer shopping list with a price tag of €60 million (US$66.35m).
Bargain price for De Cuyper
The reason for such a high fee is that the 25-year-old Italian international extended his Juventus contract in May until 2029. De Cuyper, who won the Belgian Pro League last term, seems a snip at just €25m (US$27.65m).
The 24-year-old is very much in demand across Europe, with Juve rivals AC Milan also tracking his availability. Fallen Italian giants Milan could bring in a new head coach for under-pressure manager Sergio Conceicao at the end of the season, which would possibly scupper their plans for signing De Cuyper.
The defender is on the radar of German Bundesliga outfit RB Leipzig and a clutch of Premier League clubs including Manchester United. With De Cuyper becoming yet another defender on Juve's ever-expanding summer shopping list.