Juventus defender Angelo Ogbonna is being tracked by Premier League clubs Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur.
ESPN report that both clubs are in the market for a new central defender in this summer’s transfer market and Ogbonna is high on the wanted list.
Ogbonna has been used sparingly by Juve coach Max Allegri, especially since the return of Andrea Barzagli who was side-lined for eight months through injury. Allegri’s preference has been for a two-man central defensive pairing, although when he has made the shift to a 3-5-2 formation, Barzagli has been first choice.
Tottenham and Liverpool are known to have tracked Ogbonna during his spell at Torino where he impressed enough to earn a move to the Bianconeri in 2013, but limited playing time over the years may mean a move is imminent.
Another important factor in a potential sale could be the return of Daniele Rugani. The 20-year-old centre back has been on loan at Empoli for the season, and impressive displays last year led Juventus to buy the remaining 50% of the player’s contract. If he factors in Allegri’s plan for next season, it’s very possible that Ogbonna could be sold to make way for the youngster.
I’ll be happy when he’s gone, time to bring in Rugani and let him develop. Sorry, Angelo, but you will always look like a Ninja Turtle to me, and for that, I can’t take you seriously. Good luck in England.
Great start of THE mercato !!! Forza juve
I know i will get killed for saying this….but i think we really missed a trick with Ogbonna.
If he leaves, it’ll be out loss. He can play really well, as long as he plays regularly. When he featured every weekend, he was in great form, better than chiellini at times. He’s at that age when he’s going to hit his peak and we’ll be selling him on.
Barzagli only has a season or two left at best, Ogbonna should be in the plans for when he leaves along with Rugani.
*Although Rugani is a long-way from playing regularly
Ogbonna certainly had some good games and I can’t remember any big blunders or anything. Unremarkable player, but not a bad one at that.
He’s good back-up, but if he’s sold, I don’t mind it that much. Barzagli is already a sub at this point, who isn’t used or only brought on if we change to a back 3.
For the sake of rotation (and keeping Barzagli’s age in consideration) I’d keep him to fight for games with Rugani, but if we get a good offer for him, I’d sell him too.
(good as in at least 15mill, so we don’t have a loss on him)
I’m not going to hurt you, but watch how he defended against Darmian’s goal against Torino, or on the Olympiakos game. He seems uninterested, and we don’t really need that.
I’m not trying to compare him to Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, but if you compare him to someone who also doesn’t really play regularly like Caceres, you just can’t defend Ogbonna…
But maybe he needs more time and experience to grow, he is ONLY 26. Come on, if he were any good he would make it hard for the rest to start ahead of him.
Allegri never has to go “Who should I bench now for Ogbonna” or “Should we change to 352 with Ogbonna” but “Thank FUCK Barzagli is back, now I don’t even have to think”.
If Rugani is coming, it makes sense to sell Ogbonna as long as we get good money (€13+mil). He’s young and he has performed well when called upon. It will also be nice seeing him get some regular playing time.