Cash-strapped Juve are stuttering behind their Serie A rivals before a ball has been kicked. The club are making virtually no impact in the summer transfer market, and have missed out on acquiring a solid center-back.
Juventus has only signed prolific striker Jonathan David on a freebie. Despite the transfer kitty at a modest €50 million (US$60m), until they sell players, the Bianconeri are failing to bolster their squad.
There are far-fetched rumors in the Italian media regarding big names, but Juve are more frugal this term than their massive spending spree last summer under Thiago Motta.
Ronald Araujo was on the club’s radar during the winter transfer window, but talks broke down about bringing the Uruguay international from Barcelona to Turin due to his steep salary demands.
Following failed negotiations with Juve, Araujo’s team-mates encouraged him to stay. The 26-year-old Uruguay international signed a new deal with the Catalans until June 2031.
Release clause discount
His contract with the La Liga champions includes a release clause, only valid for the first two weeks of the summer transfer window, with a price tag of €65 million (US$78m).
As there were no bids tabled for the center-back, with only Chelsea and Juventus showing serious interest, Araujo's release clause returned to a staggering €1 billion (US$1.16m) at the close of business on 15 July.
The formidable figure matches some of his Barcelona team-mates, such as Pablo Gavi, Jules Kounde and Pedri.
Juventus missed a trick
The Bianconeri had been expected to table an initial offer of at least €30m (US$36m), in the knowledge that Barcelona will try to offload at least one central defender before next season.
Barcelona are likely to cash in on center-back Andreas Christensen, although he will be out of Juve’s financial reach as his annual salary demands are €11.8m (US$13.8m).
Christensen is not interested in the reported lucrative proposals from the Saudi Pro League, preferring to remain in Europe and could end up with one of Juve’s rivals unless the Bianconeri spring a surprise to sign the 29-year-old Danish international for €12m (US$13.9m).