Three former key players of Juventus are now looking for new clubs as free agents: Alex Sandro, Wojciech Szczesny, and Adrien Rabiot. All three said goodbye to the club at the end of last season after several successful years in Turin. The Brazilian defender Alex Sandro was the first to join Juventus in 2015, followed by “Tek” Szczesny in 2017, and Rabiot, the French midfielder, in 2019. During their time with the club, all three experienced some of the best moments of their careers. However, despite it being weeks or even months since their departures, none have found a new team. Only Alex Sandro is close to signing with a new club.
Juventus, under new coach Thiago Motta, aims to break away from the past, which has already started with changes in players, style, and philosophy. Alex Sandro’s farewell was emotional. On May 25, in his final match against Monza, he scored a goal to secure a 2-0 victory for Juventus, marking his goodbye. Although his recent performances were inconsistent, fans gave him a heartfelt send-off. He was the first of the three to leave, and he is also the closest to returning to the pitch. After taking some time off to consider his options, he received offers from various clubs worldwide, including Europe, Saudi Arabia, and South America. Currently, he has decided to return to Brazil, where he has agreements with two top teams: São Paulo and Flamengo. Ultimately, he chose Flamengo, signing until 2026.
The future of ex-midfielder Adrien Rabiot is less certain. His departure from Juventus was tumultuous, but he remains keen on continuing his career in one of Europe’s top five leagues: Serie A, Premier League, La Liga, Ligue 1, or Bundesliga. Recently, Galatasaray tried to contact Rabiot’s mother and agent, Véronique, but the negotiations fell through. Atlético Madrid showed some interest, but they have shifted their attention to Chelsea’s Gallagher. There’s a possibility that Rabiot could replace Gallagher in London, and Arsenal, along with Manchester United, have also expressed interest. Despite the numerous inquiries, concrete offers remain scarce, making Rabiot’s next destination uncertain.
Wojciech Szczesny’s departure came last, and he has made history at Juventus, taking over the goalkeeping position from Gianluigi Buffon. He reached an agreement for a contract termination that provided him with a generous severance package while saving the club money on his wages. Currently, Szczesny is considering his future, but a move to Saudi Arabia does not excite him, and the MLS seems unlikely at this stage. Monza has strengthened their goalkeeping options with new signings, further diminishing that possibility. Another option for him could be retirement, which he is contemplating as he reflects on a fulfilling career so far. Like his colleagues, Szczesny finds himself in a challenging position regarding his next steps in football.