Juventus tackle Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in their final Group G game inside Orlando’s Camping World Stadium on 26 June.
Newly-installed Juve boss Igor Tudor, who is preparing to revamp his squad this summer, has three key Italians that City have on their radar.
Guardiola will be able to view first-hand the highly-rated Juventus trio left-back Andrea Cambiaso, shotstopper Michele Di Gregorio and versatile defender Nicola Savona.
Juventus Next Gen ace Savona, who joined the club in 2011 and was loaned for SPAL for the 2020/21 campaign, was formidable under both Thiago Motta and Tudor last term.
He signed an agreement with Juve on the eve of the 2024/25 season, and as one of the Bianconeri’s most promising players put pen to paper on a contract extension until June 2030.
Prized asset
Last week’s deal for the 22-year-old was double-sworded, because the club are fully aware of City’s eagerness to land his signature. Savona can be utilized as center-back, right-back and right midfielder.
Decent amounts of money to use on transfers will be available to Tudor should City make a move for any of these targets.
Di Gregorio only arrived last summer, on a one-season loan with an obligation to buy, from Monza. The 27-year-old, who turned down joining Liverpool to switch Serie A, enjoyed a highly impressive campaign at Juve.
City had shown significant interest earlier this year in acquiring the Milan-born keeper as a potential replacement for Brazilian Ederson, who is anticipated to move to the cash-rich Saudi Pro League.
Wanted man
Cambiaso was touted to be leaving Turin for City during the winter transfer window, but no bid was tabled. The Genoa youth academy standout continues to be monitored by a plethora of top European teams.
Yet the 25-year-old could again be overlooked by Guardiola, who last week signed Rayan Aït-Nouri from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Algeria international can be deployed as left-back, left wing-back and left midfielder.
Cambiaso is now on the wanted list of AC Milan, Atletico Madrid and ambitious Nottingham Forest despite ankle injuries last term.
Forest head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has also shown recent interest in Juve duo Federico Gatti and striker Dusan Vlahovic.
The Premier League club stuttered during their season finale, missing out on a Champions League spot in the final stretch, they at least managed to berth but qualified for the Conference League.
Sticking point
Gatti, who converted from a solid midfielder to a top-notch defender, and striker Vlahovic are both in precarious contract renewal negotiations. The Club World Cup offers them both an opportunity to showcase their silky skills, and perhaps earn a big money move.
Italy international Gatti rejected approaches this year from Premier League sides Everon, Nottingham Forest and West Ham United.
Napoli’s recent interest could involve a part-swap deal for goal-machine Victor Osimhen, should the Nigerian marksman make a U-turn about not wishing to join Juve and Vlahovic departs.
Vlahovic has options to switch to the Saudi Pro League, the Turkish Super Lig and to be reunited with former Juve boss Max Allegri at AC Milan.
The Serbia international’s high salary demands are an obstacle to be offloaded. With Vlahovic becoming a free agent next June, Juventus are keen to cash in so they can sign a prolific goalscorer with Sporting Lisbon sharpshooter Viktor Gyokeres their top target.
Strengthen squad
Tudor is enthusiastic about refreshing the squad he inherited. Juve’s Club World Cup, including any possible transfers to Premier League teams, will indicate where reinforcements are urgently required.
The potential of losing so many key players may seem devastating news for Juventus. although money bags City tend to be swift to act when a target fits the bill.
Yet securing significant transfer income from any sales will at least allow Tudor to make moves for players that he has total faith in, and be make his mark.
The club will surely not want a repeat of last summer business under the then head coach Motta, He splashed the cash on what turned out to be numerous flops, and to add insult to injury the then head coach insisted on the departures of a plethora of players who thrived away from the Turin titans.