With the Bianconeri’s defensive flaws exposed in all three 2025 FIFA Club World group games, it was only defending champions Manchester City who punished them in a one-sided contest.
Juve head coach Igor Tudor, even with his bulging squad in the US for the month-long tournament, cannot paper over the cracks.
Since last week’s 5-2 mauling, which sets up a last 16 knockout clash with Real Madrid on Tuesday, Juventus have been pushing to strengthen their squad by pinpointing defensive targets.
Ironically, it is a former Manchester City center-back that is high on Tudor’s summer shopping list. French-born Aymeric Laporte left City in August 2023 to join Al-Nassr for €27.5 million (US$32.2m) to end his five-and-a-half year spell with the Premier League giants.
Pioli problems
Like some of his team-mates, 31-year-old Laporte experienced a tricky time under Scudetto-winning head coach Stefano Pioli.
The ex-AC Milan manager left the Saudi Pro League club last week, after less than a year in charge, having finished only third in the table to sit a whopping 13 points behind champions Al-Ittihad.
Laporte made 20 Saudi Pro League appearances last year. With speculation that he wishes to end his lucrative deal with Al-Nassr, there are a clutch of clubs willing to pay him a high salary for his services.
Juve have joined the impressive list of his admirers that comprises Arsenal, Aston Villa, Atletico Bilbao, Atletico Madrid, Fenerbahce, Inter Milan and Napoli.
La Liga clubs
His former La Liga clubs appear to be in pole position to land his signature. Atletico Bilbao came close to signing him three years ago, while the on-off transfer of Nico Williams to Barcelona would help Atletico Madrid finance Laporte’s move.
Al-Nassr are open to offers for Laporte, who commands an annual salary of €5m (US$5.8m) and wants a three-year deal tabled.
As Al-Nassr are exploring new recruits, this could ultimately force Laporte's summer departure due to league regulations limiting the number of registered foreign players.