Jonathan David, Benjamin Sesko and Viktor Gyokeres appear to be the most ambitious attackers to sign, with a plethora of Italian-based players lined up to become a secondary striker such as Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui, Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi and Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca.
It is anticipated that centre-forwards Samuel Mbangula and Dusan Vlahovic will be sold, while Arkadiusz Milik can be loaned out.
Replacements are always being rumored. Canada international David becomes a free agent next month, when the hot-shot leaves French club Lille.
Slovenia and RB Leipzig shooting star Sesko, is on the Juventus radar, but he would also be an expensive acquisition. Arsenal are Juve’s rivals to sign the 21-year-old.
Yet Juve have set their sights on Sporting Lisbon star Gyokeres, with former Juventus sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli having recently spoken to his agents in London about a potential move.
Sporting clarify scenario
With a reported “gentleman’s agreement” of €60 million (US$69.2m) as well as the club’s release clause of a staggering €100m (US$115.4m), Sporting president Frederico Varandas yesterday issued a statement regarding their prized asset.
Varandas claimed: “Sporting has not had an offer for Gyokeres, neither today nor last season. I can guarantee that Viktor Gyokeres will not leave for €60m plus €10m euros, because I never promised that.
“It’s not worth us setting a value because I don’t know what will happen in a year’s time. I don’t know if it will be €40m, €60m or €80m.
“What I can guarantee is that I will not demand €100m. He is going to be 27 years old, and no player leaves Portugal at 27 for 100m euros or 90m euros.”
Premier League failure
Gyokeres failed to cut the mustard at Brighton & Hove Albion, not even managing to play once in the Premier League. He was loaned to Coventry City, and signed for the Championship club in July 2021 where he remained for two years until joining Sporting.
The €24m (US$27.7m) five-year deal was a record transfer sum received by Coventry City, surpassing the €15.2m (US$17.6m) deal with Inter Milan for Robbie Keane in 2000.
Gyokeres initially played under Ruben Amorim, who has since switched to Manchester United and is believed to be pushing to land the striker at Old Trafford.
Arsenal’s interest has waned, as they prefer Sesko, which leaves Juventus as clear favorites to secure his signature.
Prolific scoring record
Despite Gyokeres’ astonishing scoring record, the Primeira Liga is not in the top five European leagues. Although there’s been a relentless stream of talent from the Portugal top tier that proved highly successful in the Premier League. The most noteworthy was Cristiano Ronaldo, who enjoyed an impressive stint at Juventus.
Gyokeres has found the back of the net a phenomenal 97 times in 102 matches during his two seasons in Portugal, and contributed 26 goal assists.
Last term he bagged 54 goals in 52 appearances, which included 19 penalties. His Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City alerted numerous top teams.
Saudi Pro League club Al-Hilal, who are coached by former Inter Milan boss Simone Inzaghi, are the latest team linked with the prolific scorer.
There should be little doubt that he can flourish at a top team like Juventus, as his international record has earned him attention. Gyokeres has scored nine goals in six 2024/25 Nations League matches for Sweden.
Vlahovic holding off
Now it seems a question of when Juve can offload Vlahovic and his annual salary of €12m (US$13.85m), with AC Milan, the Saudi Pro League and Istanbul giants Fenerbahce all viable destinations.
Serbia striker Vlahovic is holding off on all three possibilities until he has competed in the cash-rich 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, as the 25-year-old hankers after a move to the Premier League. Arsenal, Aston Villa and Newcastle United are among the sides monitoring him.
Should Manchester United beat Juve to Gyokeres, then their unwanted trio of Antony, Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee will reappear as targets for the Bianconeri.
If Juve can cash in on Vlahovic, then David or Sesko would be viable options to take over the mantle at centre-forward next term.