Thiago Motta is on the lookout for a central defender, but Jean-Clair Todibo will not be joining Juventus as previously hoped. Coach Motta and sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli had considered the Frenchman, but their plans changed when West Ham United made a firm bid of €40 million for him. This amount was more than Juventus was willing to pay, leading the club to reassess their defensive options.
With the transfer landscape shifting, Juventus still needs a partner for Gleison Bremer to strengthen their defense ahead of the new season. Tomorrow, Federico Gatti and Bremer will face the attacking talent of Atletico Madrid in a friendly. Meanwhile, Giuntoli is actively pursuing market opportunities.
Originally, Juventus was prepared to invest around €30 million on Todibo through a loan with an option to buy. However, their focus seems to have shifted now, prioritizing funds for a winger and Teun Koopmeiners while delaying defensive investments. The club appears willing to fill the defensive gap with a low-cost option, likely through a loan.
As the transfer window nears its end, clubs may reconsider their situations and be open to temporary solutions, which could benefit Juventus. One name linked as a potential loan candidate is Clement Lenglet. The French defender, who moved to Barcelona in 2018 for over €35 million, has spent the last two seasons on loan in the Premier League—first at Tottenham and then at Aston Villa. It remains to be seen whether his former teammate Douglas Luiz will reach out to him regarding a move.
Lenglet stands as the primary option for Juventus if they decide to pursue a loan deal by the end of the month, having expressed interest earlier in the transfer window. Other potential defensive candidates include Arsenal’s Jakub Kiwior, although his chances seem less likely, and a connection with Ajax could provide another opportunity. They are exploring the possibility of loaning Daniele Rugani, while Josip Sutalo, a 24-year-old central defender and Croatian international, could also be a viable option due to his reasonable expected cost.
As the pre-season continues, Juventus is keen on finding the right defensive addition without overspending, and the coming weeks may present new opportunities as the transfer window approaches its conclusion.
