Juventus are still targeting Steven N’Zonzi for the midfield, however Blaise Matuidi has been added to the list of candidates.
Negotiations with Sevilla continue, however the Andalusian side are sticking with their €40m evaluation of the player and won’t accept less.
As such, Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio suggests Blaise Matuidi has now joined the list of possible midfield targets for the new season.
Di Marzio also reports that Juventus have reached an agreement for Brazilian winger Douglas Costa and now wait on the ‘ok’ from Bayern Munich, which could come next week, allowing them to close the deal.
Reports have suggested Juan Cuadrado is on the market and may be available for transfer – Sky suggest that only PSG are interested in the player, and if he is transferred, Juve will target Federico Bernardeschi as a replacement.
Finally, a number of sides have declared interest in Wojciech Szczesny, however it’s considered too late as the keeper is heading to Juventus this summer.
Wouldn’t mind Matuidi. Slightly older than Nzonzi, and less creative and well as much smaller, yet his defensive prowess is top drawer and he passes quickly and smartly. Either will be fine. Just don’t want to see us overpay for either. 30-35m MAX.
Would be superb to see Bernardeschi replace Cuadrado, and as was mentioned elsewhere – which reminds me of the suggestion of a mercato thread – Orsolini could end up in our first team. We wave farewell to Juan and a few others, and in comes Costa, Orsolini, Bernardeschi for the two wide positions, with Pjaca to challenge in early 2018. Our flanks would look strong, fast, powerful.
Never know, folks…Beppe likely has an ace or three up his sleeve. I remember Sandro coming out of nowhere and look how splendid he has since proven.
My friend, we all know you detest Cuadrado, but after all he has done for Juve his importance for the team is much more than letting him go easily. First, Alves has never been a really good winger, he is a RB and better to use him as RB not RW. Second, I hope for the best but I wouldn’t bet on Pjaca, after such an tough injury. We never know if he is gonna flourish or not! You may not like him, but we need Juan Cuadrado even if we get 2 more wingers, right now he is our “only” creative winger, Mandzukic for all his tactical versatility is not a creative player. Bernardeschi is a great talent but his work rate and defensive awareness is much worse than Cuadrado’s ones.
and about midfield, Matuidi or Nzonzi, both improve our team, but only slightly. We need more than that.
Correct, we do need more than that. Do we have a game changing mid? I don’t see one. There is a little lad in England who might fit the bill. He will end up at Real Madrid eventually, but we may be able to entice him for a few years now if only we were prepared to go big. His parent club won’t want to sell him to an English rival so we may have a chance. His name is Delle Alli…..
He is creative, has a touch of magic and is talented with the ball, tough enough (a bit too tough a times) and scores a bag full of goals. He will cost £75m +. He is worth it now, as in a few years he will be £125m+. He only gets paid £50k a week too, so we can offer an upgrade on that right now.
Dreaming, yes. But he is game changer. We need that sort of player, someone we have been missing for a season or two now.
Ahh, detest??? Never could I detest the funny little chap with the big hair who. I support him as much as I support every one in black and white, mate…I just consider him a squad player and realised that Max sees him as technically weaker than an aging world class Rb playing at RW. He is okay as a squad player, that pace often likely to make something happen, especially against weaker or tired opponents, but he lacks the mental fortitude to be considered top drawer. I do not believe he would find any space in RM, Barca, BM or within the top PL sides. He isn’t good enough on a consistent basis.
I am unsure as to what you mean by ‘all he has done for juve’. I do not see him as over extending himself, showing willingness to die for the cause and achieving hugely. He gets very well paid to play in one of the finest sides in Europe. He is not starting material against the strongest opponents, and I would like us to find that starting material.
I have been banging on about the flanks in need of improvement for a fair while now. It is fine if he stays, but not as a prospective starter in an ideal first XI. It has been clear that we need a natural, top level RW and LW. We have no natural LW…Pjaca won’t be back until late this year and likely not match sharp until early 18′. Mandzukic is no natural winger.
Hence our interest in wide midfielders…I doubt Nzonzi is coming. We won’t pay 40m for him. Our aims are elsewhere. Even for Costa, I doubt we would be willing to go above 35ish, maybe to 40.
There are also Keita and Bernardsechi, more likely the former as Fiorentina despise us for eternity.
Don’t think Cuadrado is up to leave, Di Maria, Keita, Lemar, berna, Costa, … all lefties, Alves en Lichtsteiner are the fullbacks, no De Sciglio said Max, so we only have 3 players for 4 postions, I wonder who will be number 4 and please don’t make mistake like with Pjaca, he also is a LW or N°10 but no RW
I hope that we will sign a quality RW as well as one for the left. This will put Alves back to competing for RB. A shame on De Sciglio, but that isn’t to confirm we will have no new fullback. Asamoah for one might wish to seek more regular football. Unlikely, but possible. Same for Lichsteiner, despite signing the extension. Of the four, I would say I trust only Sandro and Lichsteiner from a defensive perspective, which is where any consideration of any defensive position must begin and end.
I respect both N’Zonzi and Matuidi, but as mentioned, we can’t spend too much $ there. Whether or not those are the correct choices, we’ll find out soon. It’d be great to bring in Douglas Costa – which seems to nearly be a done deal – and also Berna or Lemar. Yes Lemar is a more natural CAM, but if Allegri can convert Mandzukic to a winger, Lemar should have an easy transition. On top of that, he can move into the CAM position should Dybala come off – no more relying on Lemina (who we hopefully sell) to fill that role. And Berna will add great depth and forward skill, where ever Allegri would try to fit him in.
Cuadrado is a must keep – for now. He’s proven his worth, even if he has some down sides. And Cuadrado rotating with Lemar would be a perfect scenario. Bring Orsolini to the first team, and have him gain experience as well. And should Dybala come out for Lemar, then Cuadrado can come out for Orsolini.
I DONT want to see Alves as a RW. In fact, I hope we can also bring in another fullback, possibly Benjamin Mendy. Although he’s a natural LB, so maybe not that best alternative, he’s promising and can cover Sandro’s spot if need be. Maybe he can play as a RB as well, I’m not too sure.
But in any case, Douglas Costa, Lemar/Berna, Mendy… that becomes a great sum of $. So hopefully we can solve our midfield problems with a bargain. If Sevilla refuse to part with N’Zonzi for less than 40 mil, maybe we look elsewhere.
Not to mention I’d also love to see Donnarumma in Black & White over Szczesny. A year under Buffon before taking the reins. Another large chunk of $ no doubt.
I definitely agree. Cuadrado must stay, for he is the only one in his role as of now (I don’t expect Dani to stay that much longer). I would love a Costa. And we NEED De Sciglio. Can’t stand that mindless freak Alves anymore.