De Winter joined Juve in the summer of 2018 as a 16-year-old, switching to the Italian club’s youth academy from Belgian outfit Zulte Waregem, and could make a remarkable return to the Bianconeri in the summer.
After impressing for the Juventus Next Gen team, he was promoted to the senior side but only played 81 Champions League minutes during the 2021/22 campaign.
He became the club’s youngest-ever starter in the Champions League, aged 19 years and 179 days when Juve tackled Malmo in December 2021. Max Allegri, who was head coach, praised De Winter’s display despite hauling him off after 70 minutes.
De Winter got his first taste of Serie A on a season-long loan at Empoli, his 14 appearances attracted attention from a plethora of Serie A clubs as well as English outfits Leeds United and Leicester City.
Genoa snatched bargain
Genoa were the side that swooped in August 2023. They signed De Winter on loan, with a conditional obligation to purchase for €10 million (US$11.35m).
He played four games at right-back, before switching to center-back during a successful season with 29 league appearances.
De Winter has produced some eye-catching performances since he bounced back from a two-month hamstring injury in late December, which garnered attention from a clutch of clubs in England, Germany and Italy.
There’s been attention this year from Premier League teams including Everton, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
While German giants Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund are also tracking De Winter.
Offers versatility
The 22-year-old aerial expert can be deployed at center-back, right-back and as a defensive midfielder, which has made De Winter an attractive option for top Serie sides AC Milan, AS Roma, Inter Milan, Juventus and Napoli.
Twice-capped Belgium international De Winter, who takes home a weekly salary of €14,000 (US$15,920), still has three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract at Genoa.
Juventus included a 25% resale clause in his transfer agreement to Genoa, meaning that his price tag of €30m (US$34.05m) will be considerably cheaper for the Bianconeri should they wish to pursue him.