Juventus are preparing for the start of pre-season training on Monday with a largely unchanged squad, despite a period of significant change off the pitch according to reports from Turin. New manager Luciano Spalletti will begin work with a team that feels, according to sources, more like the end of last season’s roster than the start of a new campaign, over forty days after a derby defeat consigned the club to Europa League football.
The transfer window has been slow for the Bianconeri, hindered by difficulties in securing departures and a lack of completed signings. Striker Dusan Vlahovic has departed as a free agent, and his immediate replacement is 19-year-old Jeff Ekhator, formerly of Genoa, though he is not considered a long-term solution. New CEO Giovanni Carnevali is reportedly pushing to sign Randal Kolo Muani before the squad reconvenes on July 13th, but Paris Saint-Germain are holding firm to a €50 million valuation, offering a loan with an option to buy.
Spalletti is also evaluating options in goal after missing out on Alisson Becker of Liverpool. Aston Villa’s Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez remains a target, as does Guglielmo Vicario of Tottenham, who now represents a more affordable option. However, Michele Di Gregorio is expected to be in goal for the start of training, though his long-term future at the club is uncertain.
Defensively, Spalletti is expected to employ a back four, with Pierre Kalulu considered undroppable. Federico Gatti and Lloyd Kelly are both potential departures, prompting the club to pursue Tarik Muharemovic of Sassuolo, Jhon Lucumi of Bologna, and free agent John Stones. In midfield, Juventus are well-stocked, leading to Franck Kessie and Leon Goretzka being placed on standby. Douglas Luiz is a player of interest, while Teun Koopmeiners is expected to join later, with the club hoping to generate funds from his sale.
Upfront, Vlahovic’s departure leaves a void, though Lois Openda is expected to arrive soon. David, returning from World Cup duty, is attempting to convince Spalletti of his value, but the manager is keen to overhaul the attacking options. Ekhator will be integrated into the squad while the club pursues Kolo Muani and other targets such as Alexander Sorloth and Jean-Philippe Mateta. The pursuit of Brahim Diaz from Real Madrid is described as a ‘dream’ signing.
