Offloading Douglas Luiz and Dusan Vlahovic is easier said than done, while targets outside the club’s budget are highly unlikely to get over the line.
There’s also the Jadon Sancho saga, which has been deferred until the Bianconeri generate income from transfer sales. Although some Italian sports media keep sensationally claiming the deal is nearing completion for the Manchester United outcast.
Luiz, heavily fined for skipping the first three days of pre-season training, could soon depart. The 27-year-old has a clutch of Premier League admirers as well as keen interest from Fenerbahce manager Jose Mourinho.
The issue is that many clubs are fully aware of Juve’s financial plight, so part exchanges are being suggested rather than splashing big bucks on the Brazilian midfielder.
Midfield swap deal viable
Mourinho could offer 28-year-old Morocco defensive midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, while Sporting Lisbon’s skipper Morten Hjulmand has been identified as a potential swap deal involving Luiz and another Juventus misfit.
Amrabat has Serie A experience, having played for both Fiorentina and Hellas Verona from 2019 until 2023.
Hjulmand has also competed in the Italian top-flight, having turned out for Lecce, but his steep transfer fee remains an obstacle. The Dane’s former manager Ruben Amorim is keen to lure the 26-year-old to Manchester United.
Luiz may fancy the Portuguese top tier as a new challenge, where he has a good shot at winning trophies. He was a marquee signing at Juve last summer, and would be a real coup if he signed for Sporting.
The former Aston Villa ace has struggled at the Turin titans, hampered by injury setbacks and playing under two different managers. He has looked nothing like his much-hyped label of being one of Europe’s most accomplished midfielders.
United approach at Continassa
Luiz joined pre-season training alongside a plethora of players that head coach Igor Tudor has added to the transfer list. Last summer Thiago Motta divided his players for training, making those who were not part of his plans feel uncomfortable and quickly move on like Federico Chiesa and Dean Huijsen.
There’s no such isolation this term despite some figures appreciating that they are surplus to requirements, and may not be able to secure a new club before the season opener at home to Parma on 24 August.
Juventus appear to be currently ill-prepared for a shot at winning the Scudetto, appearing desperate to pick up healthy transfer fees from the potential sales of Luiz and Vlahovic. Serbia striker Vlahovic only appears to have AC Milan and Atletico Madrid as viable escape routes.
The two pre-season friendlies kick off soon, with the visit of Serie B side AC Reggiana to the Continassa for Saturday's behind closed doors clash. Juventus tackle Borussia Dortmund in Germany on 10 August, and still their squad has yet to be tweaked with just three new signings.