The Italian media frenzy about a midfield swap deal between the Bianconeri and Inter Milan was
shot down by Juventus icon and director Giorgio Chellini.
A most realistic exchange of players between Serie A sides is between the sticks, with Genoa's no1 shotstopper being considered by Juve.
Italian sports press reported that Juve's Khephren Thuram could be swapped with arch rival Inter, with Davide Frattesi arriving at the Turin titans during the winter transfer market.
This transaction seemed fanciful and appeared to lack anything more than being a rumor. France international Thuram, who has made 13 Serie A appearances this term, is a pivotal player under Spalletti.
Thuram linked with Premier League clubs
The 24-year-old has attracted potential suitors for some time, including Premier League giants Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur. His €40 million (US$47m) valuation is almost double the price that former manager Thiago Motta sanctioned to lure Thuram from OGC Nice.
Thuram became an outcast at AS Monaco misfit and really kicked off his career along the Cote d’Azur after arriving at Nice on a free transfer in 2019.
Paris Saint-Germain explored Thuram’s availability following the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, viewing the Juventus ace as an ideal replacement for Fabian Ruiz.
PSG expressed interest during talks about striker Kolo Muani’s potential return to Turin during the summer. There was were no deals done between the French champions and Juve because of an on-going spat.
Juve keeper considers return
Juventus keeper Mattia Perin, overlooked by former manager Igor Tudor, has featured twice under Spalletti and conceded in both games.
The 33-year-old's deal expires in June 2027, but Genoa are exploring his return to the club where he made his name before being lured to Juve for €16.3m (US$19.1m) in January 2018.
Perin went back to Genoa on a short-term long in February 2020, when he reached a milestone 200 appearances for the team. His stint with the Bianconeri has been bitty, often subjected to being nothing more than a bit part player who frequently warms the bench.
With Michele Di Gregorio established as Juve's no1, opportunities for Perin to get minutes are few and far between. Yet Di Gregorio could be sold during the summer, with AC Milan and France shotstopper Mike Maignan recently considered by the Bianconeri.
As Maignan has started talks about a contract extension with Milan, as his current deal expires next summer, Juventus have turned their attention to Genoa's first choice keeper Nicola Leali.
Juventus shotstopper on Genoa radar
The 30-year-old has played all 15 Serie A matches this campaign for the strugglers. Although Genoa's new head coach Daniele De Rossi is keen to tempt Juve's Perin.
A swap deal is a real possibility, although a six-month loan for Perin to join Genoa is viable should the Bianconeri opt for Leali. Having a reliable pair of hands to compete with Di Gregorio would give Spalletti more options to rotate his squad members, with Juventus aiming to continue their momentum in the Champions League in order to reach the lucrative knockout stages.
Genoa is concretely working on the possibility of re-signing Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin. The potential transfer is under consideration for the January transfer window.