A box-to-box player with a prowess in front of goal would bolster Juve’s midfield depth this summer, should the club allow Nicolas Gonzalez and expensive flop Douglas Luiz to leave.
The pair have both played just one season for the Turin titans. The Bianconeri are open to offers for Argentina international Gonzalez, while Luiz is anticipated to return to the Premier League.
There are a plethora of suitors lining up to land the Brazilian, with Everton and West Ham United leading the chase.
Gonzalez could be swapped for Inter Milan’s star Davide Frattesi, who was being monitored by the Bianconeri by the then head coach Thiago Motta.
Frattesi snubbed by Juventus
The Italy international was overlooked as ex-Bologna boss Motta wanted Teun Koopmeiners instead to tackle Project Motta.
Netherlands star Koopmeiners has yet to set Serie A alight, struggling under Motta and his successor Igor Tudor. Surprisingly, the Italian giants are persisting with Koopmeiners, and not added him to the transfer list.
Frattesi recently underwent hernia/groin surgery, which resulted in missing the FIFA Club World Cup campaign.
Chivu's attacking tactics
He was so disappointed by his lack of involvement last term under manager Simone Inzaghi, who has since switched to the mega-rich Saudi Pro League, that he looked destined to leave during the winter transfer window.
Now Cristian Chivu has taken over the mantle, arriving at Inter from Parma, it is a different ball game for ever-improving Frattesi.
The former defender is focused on making his new club more dynamic on the attack, determined to take the pressure off prolific forwards Lautaro Martinez and Marcus Thuram with his 3-5-2 tactical approach.
Frattesi, monitored by Juventus for many years when at Sassuolo, is firmly in the plans for Chivu although he could be tempted by versatile Gonzalez as an alternative.
Gonzalez suits Inter Milan
Gonzalez would tick all the boxes for Chivu as he is a handful when he has featured as an attacking midfielder, a secondary striker and at wing-back.
Although Frattesi also boasts defensive tenacity and superb passing skills, his immediate fitness to kick off next season is questionable. This could mean Chivu decided to opt for a quick-fix solution with a straight swap for Gonzalez, rather than block Frattesi’s departure.
Frattesi has been offered the opportunity to discuss renewing and improving his contract at the Nerazzurri, which expires in June 2028.
Manchester United and Spurs are waiting in the wings about Frattesi’s future despite his recovery uncertainties. While Juventus have a trump card in Gonzalez in a bid to land Italy star.