Last summer’s expensive flop Douglas Luiz has a plethora of English top tier teams chasing him, with Everton in pole position to land his signature.
The Brazilian midfielder arrived last summer from Aston Villa on a five-year deal that cost €50 million (US$58.5m), with the Bianconeri now aiming to recoup a substantial lump of that fee.
Luiz’s compatriot André not available from Wolverhampton Wanderers, with Juve’s interest halted. The Bianconeri have turned their attention to a player that they previously entertained in 2017 and 2020.
Midfielder Dani Ceballos, a central midfielder who can also be implemented down the left wing, has a modest €12m (US$13.9m) price tag that would suit cash-strapped Juve.
He has two more years on his Real Madrid contract, but with a change of head coach has been placed on the transfer list.
He turned out for 41 matches last term, but Real manager Xabi Alonso only played the 28-year-old for a total of 70 minutes as a substitute in four of their four FIFA Club World Cup games.
Ceballos played against Juve
Ceballos only came on in the 90th-minute as a time-wasting ploy against Juve in the cash-rich competition, so Bianconeri boss Igor Tudor didn’t get an opportunity to see his silky skills.
Yet Tudor did get a chance to run his eye over emerging star Arda Guler, who competed for 78 minutes against Juve for Real. The Turkish 20-year-old, mainly utilized as a right winger by former manager Carlos Ancelotti, has been repositioned as an attacking midfielder by Alonso.
There were plans to loan Guler out, which would have ultimately interested Juventus. Now Alonso views the youngster as the natural successor to the club’s former midfield maestros Toni Kroos and Luka Modric, and indispensable to Real.
Juve could splash the cash
Juventus, eager to fill the midfield gap with Luiz’s imminent exit, are prepared to make a purchase to beat off rivals to land ex-Spain international Ceballos.
He has a cluster of clubs interested in taking him on a season-long loan with an obligation to buy, which includes his former team Real Betis.
Real Betis president Angel Haro recently ruled bringing Ceballos back unless he arrives as a free agent, as the Sevilla-based club have financial constraints, which leaves Juventus in the driving seat to bolster their midfield with the former Arsenal ace.