An exit for the Bianconeri’s regular right winger is on the cards, although remaining in Serie A is a possibility with Lazio joining the chase.
Lazio head coach Maurizio Sarri, who spent a year at the helm with the Turin giants, is also competing for the signature of US international Timothy Weah.
Weah joined Juventus from LOSC Lille in 2023 for €11 million (US$12.9m), and gone from strength to strength in his two Serie A seasons.
His days with the Serie A giants seems numbered, after he was offered to Nottingham Forest as part of a double deal with Belgium winger Samuel Mbangula.
A €25m (US$29.3m) agreement was in place, but the players’ agents rejected the move.
Manchester City miss
Both Mbangula and Weah were omitted from the Juve squad that tackled Manchester City in their final Club World Cup group game last week.
Head coach Igor Tudor explained at the pre-match press conference that they were excluded due to market reasons, which indicated a probable transfer.
There is now friction between Weah’s agents and Juventus, which has resulted in a clutch of ambitious Premier League clubs showing serious interest in landing the 25-year-old.
Weah scored five goals in 30 Serie A appearances last term, proving an invaluable player under both Thiago Motta and Tudor. He was a breath of fresh air for the Bianconeri, having struggled over former manager Max Allegri.
Tough Tudor changes
Since Tudor was installed as permanent manager on a two-year basis, he has indicated which players are part of his long-term plans as he gets the ball rolling for a squad revamp.
Although exits for Mbangula and Weah are quite a surprise. The club turned down an offer from West Ham United for Juventus Next Gen ace Mbangula during the winter transfer window, as he was seen as a rising talent.
The pair could both be plying their trade in the Italian top tier next term. A swap deal to Bologna beckons for Mbangula, while Weah is on Lazio’s radar as he has a moderate €13m (US$15.2m) price tag.
Yet Lazio's transfer activities are currently constrained by liquidity challenges following FIGC's decision to limit the Rome-based club's financial operations.
Lazio target Weah
Despite this obstacle, newly-appointed Sarri can sign Weah and other targets if Lazio can raise money by selling players.
The Premier League may appeal more to Weah for both the prestige and financial rewards. His agent is pushing for an exit from Juventus as Weah needs regular minutes to help cement an international call-up for next year’s FIFA World Cup finals.
Bournemouth were the surprise package last term under Andoni Iraola, greatly helped by former Juve defender Dean Huijsen who has since joined Real Madrid. Everton got their groove back when manager David Moyes returned to the club, who have been linked to Juventus winger Federico Gatti.
Newly-promoted Leeds are also keen to lure Juventus flop Douglas Luiz as well as Weah. Tottenham have replaced Ange Postecoglou as head coach with Thomas Frank, who is aiming to strengthen his squad for their Champions League campaign.