The countdown is on for Juventus as their Serie A season is set to kick off in just eight days, with a match against Como on August 19. However, the transfer window closes in less than three weeks, on August 30, leaving the club with limited time to strengthen their squad. Several players, including Federico Chiesa, find themselves on the outskirts of the team, and Juventus is feeling the urgency to enhance the quality of their starting lineup and deepen the bench options.
Currently, head coach Thiago Motta has a rather slim selection of just fourteen outfield players, not including injured players Miretti and Adzic. Juventus’ director of football Cristiano Giuntoli is working diligently to bolster the squad. Notably, Giuntoli skipped the team’s trip to Sweden, choosing instead to stay in Italy to focus on transfer negotiations. He may join the squad for their friendly against Atletico Madrid in Gothenburg later in the day, but his absence sends a clear signal about the club’s priorities in the transfer market.
Giuntoli is prepared to ramp up efforts to bring in more reinforcements for Motta, following previous signings such as Douglas Luiz, Di Gregorio, Khephren Thuram, and Cabal. Juventus have outlined a plan: at least one new player should arrive before the match against Como, with two or three additional signings expected in the last two weeks of the month.
The first potential arrival could be Nico Gonzalez, the Argentine winger from Fiorentina. Despite Atalanta’s resistance, Teun Koopmeiners remains a top priority for the Juventus camp. With only Kenan Yildiz and Timothy Weah available as attacking options for Motta’s preferred 4-1-4-1 formation, securing Gonzalez could significantly strengthen the team.
Negotiations with Fiorentina are promising, especially considering their previous collaborations on deals for players like Arthur and Moise Kean. The transfer fee for Gonzalez seems to be set around €30 million, but Fiorentina wants to ensure they can secure Albert Gudmundsson from Genoa before finalizing Gonzalez’s exit. As talks progress in Florence, Juventus is poised to make an approach for Gonzalez, who has reportedly agreed to terms with the club and was recently excluded from Fiorentina’s friendly in Freiburg.
Motta is keen to have Gonzalez on the bench for the season opener, providing much-needed attacking depth. Meanwhile, Juve continues to push for Koopmeiners, whom Motta has wanted since the start of summer. The midfielder is reportedly unhappy at Atalanta and has recently submitted a medical certificate to avoid training and matches with the club, including the European Super Cup against Real Madrid.
Negotiations between Koopmeiners and Atalanta are ongoing, but the Bergamo club is currently resistant to letting him go. Juventus is waiting for an opportunity to submit an offer of around €50 million, including bonuses, which falls short of Atalanta’s €60 million asking price but is still a significant figure for a 26-year-old midfielder.
Additionally, Juventus is monitoring the situation regarding Matt O’Riley of Celtic, though negotiations appear to be less optimistic than earlier discussions. Atalanta has reportedly offered €22 million to Celtic, while Brighton has put forth a €25 million offer. The outcome of Koopmeiners’ situation may impact both his future and O’Riley’s potential transfer, as Juventus continues to aim for key signings to enhance their squad.
