The blockbuster move for Sporting striker Viktor Gyokeres remains a saga, although Arsenal appear to be in pole position to land the Sweden international.
Manchester United are waiting in the wings to potentially scupper the deal for the prolific marksman, although if deals with either side don’t materialize then the 27-year-old could be winging his way to Turin on a season-long loan.
While the rigmarole continues over Gyokeres, Juve and Sporting look set to be involved in at least one transfer transition this summer.
Trio involvement for Juve
Right-back Alberto Costa, who joined Juventus in mid-January, is on the radar of Sporting. While the Bianconeri are keen to acquire midfielder Morten Hjulmand, as well as potentially getting Gyokeres on loan.
The Liga Portugal champions have been quoted a market price of €20 million (US$23.4m) for the former U20 Portugal international.
That would generate a healthy profit for Juve if the deal materializes. Costa kicked off Thiago Motta’s winter transfer business, signing from Portuguese side Vitoria Guimaraes for €12.5 million (US$14.6m).
Costa fell out of favor
The 21-year-old was anticipated to slug it out with Nicolo Savona for a starting berth, but he fell down the pecking order and was omitted from Juve’s Champions League squad in February.
Costa didn’t fare much better when Motta was axed and Igor Tudor filled his shoes. He finished the season with just nine Serie A appearances, with his first six games as a second-half substitute.
While scouting Sporting’s hot-shot Gyokeres, Juve’s priority summer target, the club unearthed a gem in skipper Hjulmand.
The 26-year-old’s ability to disrupt attacks by intercepting passes and fearlessly making tackles, as well as creating scoring chances could be just the ticket for Tudor.
Midfielder's Arsenal tattoo
Hjulmand, under contract until 2028, is an avid fan of Arsenal to such an extent that he sports a tattoo with the club's crest.
He has a hefty release clause of €80 million ($93.5m). This would put off Juventus unless they can offload both Douglas Luiz and Dusan Vlahovic to drum up the finances, or they agree to a cash swap deal involving Costa and Hjulmand.
Sporting tend to have high prices for their players, so negotiations would surely bring down Hjulmand’s transfer fee. Yet Juve do have an extra injection of cash from their indifferent showing at the FIFA Club World Cup.