The Bianconeri’s summer transfer business only gained momentum on deadline day, with the acquisition of unorthodox center forward Lois Openda and right winger Edon Zhegrova.
Although the Turin titans constantly missed out on targets because they claimed that they were cash-strapped this summer, they still finished as Serie A’s third top spenders.
With the Champions League group draw not appearing to faze Juventus, Igor Tudor must surely dip into the winter transfer market to demand a solid defender and experienced midfielder to add steel.
The transfer windows remain open for the Saudi Pro League and Turkish Super Lig, so any Juve outcasts could be moved on to help finance future targets for Tudor.
Striker Arkadiusz Milik, who did not play a competitive match for Juventus last season because of a spate of injuries, has been omitted from Tudor’s Champions League squad and could be lured to Turkey.
Tudor lines up priority targets
Yet Tudor is more concerned about newcomers, while the Juventus hierarchy deal with outcasts, especially his two priority targets from La Liga to plug the defense and midfield respectively.
A potential new face being linked to the Bianconeri is Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva, who has been elevated to club captain for the 2025/26 campaign.
Yet the 31-year-old has yet to complete a full 90 minutes out of the three Premier League games this term. City were stunned by Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton & Hove Albion after showing bite to maul Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 in their opening fixture.
Silva is represented by super agent Jorge Mendes, who has a plethora of Juventus players as clients including Turkish talent Kenan Yildiz.
After Real Madrid rejected the chance to sign Silva during the summer, there was speculation that he would move to Al-Hilal or another Saudi Pro League club because he is a big earner.
High salary is obtacle for Juve
He currently commands a steep annual salary of €18 million (US$21m), which is out of reach for most European clubs. Silva’s contract expires next June, with City seemingly happy to let the attacking midfielder leave although things could alter.
Juventus already boast Serie A’s highest earner, with hot-shot striker Dusan Vlahovic netting €12 million (US$14m) a year. Mendes would probably have to at least halve his client’s wages if Serie A is of genuine interest.
Lisbon-born Silva rose through the ranks at Benfica before going on a six-month loan to AS Monaco and joining the Ligue 1 side in January 2014 for €15.7m (US$18.5m).
Three years later he moved to City for €50m (US$58.6m), and has made over 400 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side.
Silva is familiar to Juventus fans, having lost against the Bianconeri while turning out for AS Monaco and City in the Champions League although was in the team that thrashed Juve in the FIFA Club World Cup.
Ronaldo could influence Silva
With over 100 international games, frequently playing alongside former Juventus star Cristiano Ronaldo for Portugal, Silva could offer the Turin team composure both on and off the pitch.
Although Ronaldo became an icon in a Juve jersey, he ended up taking the Bianconeri to court and winning an appeal over deferred wages from the club during the Covid-19 pandemic. So if Silva asks Ronaldo about Juventus, he may not be recommended.
Despite Juve now exploring Silva’s availability, which is currently too early to gauge, the veteran could end up signing a contract extension at City unless Guardiola’s season continues to be in freefall and he walks away before next summer.