Juventus and European rivals track Valladolid's free-agent talent Chuki
Real Valladolid's young Spanish forward Chuki is set to become a free agent this summer, sparking a multi-club pursuit across Europe. The 20-year-old, whose contract expires on June 30, has informed his current club he will not be renewing, according to reports from Italy. His status as a potential free transfer has placed him on the radars of several major clubs, including Juventus, Sevilla, and teams from the Bundesliga.
Chuki has emerged as one of the standout talents in Spain's Segunda Division this season, registering seven goals and eight assists for Valladolid. His performances, characterized by a potent left foot and creative dribbling, have not gone unnoticed. Sevilla have held a long-standing interest in the player, but sources suggest Chuki is more intrigued by the prospect of continuing his career abroad, particularly with a lucrative free transfer now imminent.
Interest from Germany is concrete, with both Stuttgart and RB Leipzig having made approaches. Stuttgart attempted to sign him in January, while Leipzig are also monitoring the situation. However, the technical fit of Serie A is believed to appeal to the player's style, opening the door for Italian suitors. Newly-promoted Como, under the guidance of Cesc Fabregas, have been tracking him for weeks as they prepare for a top-flight campaign.
Juventus, however, appears to be a serious contender with a structured strategy. The Bianconeri's scouting department has filed consistently positive reports on Chuki over recent months. Furthermore, the club's new sporting director, Marco Ottolini, had already identified the player as a target during his previous role at Genoa, adding him to a scouting database. Juventus also benefits from an established relationship with the player's representatives, the Leaderbrock agency, which facilitated Kenan Yildiz's move to Turin as a minor in 2022.
For Juventus, Chuki is viewed as a potential functional deputy to Joao Cancelo's replacement on the right wing, currently occupied by the Portuguese's loanee, Chico Conceicao. The possible summer departure of Edon Zhegrova, who has struggled for minutes, could create an opening. Chuki's profile—a left-footed winger with a penchant for dribbling and a direct goal threat—is seen as similar to that of Conceicao, albeit with less international experience but a stronger scoring instinct in domestic football.
The coming months will determine which club can secure the signature of one of Spain's most promising offensive talents on a free transfer. For Valladolid, his impending departure represents a significant loss, while for his next club, it could prove to be a major market opportunity.
