The bianconeri are ready for anything, even to replace Szczesny and Vlahovic: in midfield the priority remains Frattesi. But Hjulmand also remains in the crosshairs
One eye on the field and one on the accounts. The director of the sports area Francesco Calvo and his collaborators, despite the uncertainty linked to the penalty and to the non-football issues, are moving on different profiles but with easily attackable salaries, most of which are less than 3 million. There will always be some exceptions – or sacrifices. It is no coincidence that on the one hand Juve is making an attempt to renew the rich contracts (from Di Maria to Rabiot) and on the other it continues to “mark” a valuable piece such as Nicolò Zaniolo (Galatasaray). While awaiting the verdicts of the courts, at Continassa they are evaluating the feasibility of various operations, even alternatives to each other. The ideas are many. Some will remain as they are, others will evolve into businesses. Never as in this historic moment, Juve is forced to be flexible and ready for anything. Also to possible sacrifices in the name of the budget: from Szczesny to Vlahovic.
The 32-year-old Polish goalkeeper is considered a reference both by the management and by Massimiliano Allegri, who when he returned to Juventus in 2021 blocked the arrival on a free transfer of Gigio Donnarumma to bet on the reliability of the former Roma player. Szczesny is not expiring (contract until 2024 with an option for the next one), but he boasts several admirers even outside Juventus. Especially in England and in the “Tottenham house”. For the moment, the Juventus managers have not received any farewell signals from the number one. However, no one excludes the risk a priori. In the case of Continassa, they would find themselves anticipating the “inheritance plan”. The first on the list remains the 26-year-old Guglielmo Vicar of Empoli: he is Italian and in the national team. And above all in terms of salary he would cost less than half of Szczesny. Contacts have been going on for months and continue.
With the same coordinates – under 30 and sustainable engagements – Juventus will refresh both the flanks (from Holm to Carlos Augusto) and the median. Under track, the bianconeri are continuing to take important steps for Davide Frattesi (Sassuolo), already the subject of several talks between the two companies. Speeches facilitated by the availability of the 24-year-old Roman to move to Juventus regardless, even without the Champions League. Roma, however, does not give up and does not give up on the boy who grew up in Trigoria. Should he not renew Adrien Rabiot, expiring in June and courted by the rich Premier League (watch out for Liverpool), Continassa could decide to double the reinforcements since Leandro Paredes will not be redeemed and will return to PSG. Also in Serie A, with the central field of the black and white market back, Juve is constantly following Morten Hjulmand, the 23-year-old Danish from Lecce. And among the black and white notes there is also his teammate Joan Gonzalez, a yellow and red jewel discovered by Pantaleo Corvino in Barcelona.
What if the English big names or Bayern really showed up at Continassa with an indispensable offer for Dusan Vlahovic? The bianconeri could hardly avoid a “De Ligt bis”, even more so if DV9 pushed for a farewell as in the case of the Dutchman. In addition to redeeming Arek Milik from Marseille – a price already set at 7 million plus bonuses – Gianluca Scamacca, treated several times at the time of Sassuolo, could come back into fashion. In the end, the 24-year-old blue, who is only a year older than Vlahovic, moved to West Ham. However, things are not going very well in England. Scamacca would have expected to play more (in the league he has returned from 4 consecutive benches, between the Premier and the Cups 1342 ‘and 8 goals). But above all, the Hammers are third from bottom in the standings, in the middle of the relegation zone. At this rate, the former Sassuolo could leave London on sale. Maybe even on loan.
March 26, 2023 (change March 26, 2023 | 1:26 pm)
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