This evening, all eyes will be on the Allianz Stadium as Juventus prepares to face Como, but for the club’s management, the focus is on more than just the match. With just 11 days remaining in the transfer window, Technical Director Cristiano Giuntoli is eagerly awaiting updates on three key transfer deals that could shape the team’s season.
While negotiations are ongoing for Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners, significant progress is also expected with Fiorentina’s Nicolas Gonzalez and Milan’s Pierre Kalulu. For now, coach Thiago Motta is aiming for a strong start to the season, hoping to avoid the missteps seen from rivals like Inter, Milan, Napoli, and Roma. However, Motta is keen on adding depth to his squad before their upcoming match against Verona.
Currently, the main concern for Motta is the wide positions, as he has limited options with only Timothy Weah and Kenan Yildiz available. They will start against Como, but the coach urgently needs to strengthen this area to avoid potential issues down the line. In terms of Gonzalez, a deal is reportedly close, with the player agreeing to a salary of around €3.5 million. His potential arrival would offset the gap left by the departure of Albert Gudmundsson, who joined from Genoa but does not play the same role as Gonzalez.
The obstacles to clinching this deal have diminished significantly. Juventus and Fiorentina have reportedly reached an agreement on a permanent transfer rather than a loan, and Gonzalez is on board with the move. The final hurdle remains Fiorentina president Rocco Commisso, who is taking his time, possibly waiting for an offer that exceeds the €30 million currently on the table.
Additionally, the situation involving Arthur could come into play. The former Barcelona midfielder is surplus to requirements at Juventus, and a return to Fiorentina could appeal to all parties involved. Although the two situations are independent, reaching an agreement over Arthur might facilitate the deal for Gonzalez.
As for Kalulu, the scenario differs slightly. Juventus and Milan have already settled on a paid loan with a buyout option, but the player is still weighing his options. Kalulu asked for the weekend to contemplate the move, particularly since he might face limited playing time at Milan after the arrivals of Emerson Royal and Strahinja Pavlovic. He seems to prefer a definitive transfer with an obligation to buy, allowing him to start anew.
Motta is keen on adding Kalulu to his squad, given his versatility as a center-back or right-back, indicating a strong desire for his services heading into a crucial phase of the transfer window.
