Juve had their eye on landing Atalanta attackers Ademola Lookman and Mateo Retegui this summer, but the pair were too expensive for the club’s measly budget of just €50 million (US$57.9m).
Italy center forward Retegui finished last season’s Serie A campaign as top scorer, and became Atalanta’s first-ever player to bag 25 goals in the Italian top tier.
The 26-year-old is currently in Saudi Arabia to finalize a mega-bucks deal with Al-Qadsiah FC, who will fork out at least €65m (US$75.3m).
London-born Lookman, who chipped in 15 Serie A goals for Atalanta last term, has a slightly lower price tag of €50m. Inter Milan have today made a formal bid, but La Dea will not accept less than their valuation.
Juve's former target attracts giants
That paves the way for Atletico Madrid, Barcelona and Napoli to get back in the race to complete a big-money deal for the Nigeria international.
The 27-year-old, who can also play on either wing, was looking to leave the club following a spat with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after he failed to slot home his spot-kick in the Champions League play-off defeat to Belgium outfit Club Brugge.
This prompted Juventus as well as Premier League sides Arsenal, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Liverpool and West Ham United to add Lookman to their transfer wishlist.
Atalanta this summer appointed Ivan Juric as manager, following Gasperini's departure to AS Roma, but Lookman is still aiming to move clubs.
Juve priced out of Lookman deal
Lookman verbally agreed to join Paris Saint-Germain last summer. Once the deal with the Ligue 1 champions collapsed, Juve stepped up their interest but have been priced out of being a serious candidate to sign the former Everton, Fulham and Leicester City winger.
If the Nerazzurri are willing to pay the full price for Lookman, whose dribbling skills, pace and scoring prowess lit up Serie A last term, then Atletico have lined up a Juventus player as their Plan B.
Versatile Nicolas Gonzalez’s goal is to get his career back on track in an attempt to be selected for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.
The Argentina international’s ability to link up play, his physical prowess and can be utilized on either flank or as a makeshift center-forward.
Gonzalez has slipped out of favor
Already a clutch of Serie A sides have indicated interest, which includes AC Monza and Bologna, although he is also being monitored by Dutch Eredivisie giants Feyenoord, Saudi Pro League clubs as well as Atletico.
Gonzalez joined the Turin titans last summer from Fiorentina on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy.
He turned down opportunities to sign for Premier League and Saudi Pro League clubs last summer to join Juventus, sold three-year Project Motta by the then boss Thiago Motta.
The Bianconeri forked out €28.1 million (US$32.8m) on 1 July, but he is not part of Igor Tudor’s plans, with the club happy to sell Gonzalez as long as they recoup the fee they have recently paid.
Although he was highly regarded by Motta, the 27-year-old slipped down the pecking order under Tudor and played a bit-part at the FIFA Club World Cup.
Atletico view Gonzalez as a key figure that would strengthen their midfield at a cheaper cost than their top target of Lookman.