Juventus are considering a move for Udinese midfielder Nicolò Zaniolo as they await a decision from Brahim Diaz, according to reports in Italy. Diaz, currently a Moroccan international, is prioritizing discussions with Real Madrid to understand his role under new manager José Mourinho before committing to any potential transfer.
Despite Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti reportedly holding a strong interest in Diaz and viewing him as a suitable player for the attacking midfield position, the player is delaying any firm commitments to the Turin club. This has prompted Juventus to explore alternative options, with Zaniolo emerging as a key target.
Zaniolo recently completed a permanent transfer to Udinese from Galatasaray for a fee of €5 million, though Galatasaray retain a 50% sell-on clause. However, the player is reportedly unhappy with his current contract at Udinese, which sees him earn €1.2 million net per year, significantly less than the €3 million he received in Turkey. His agent, Claudio Vigorelli, has stated that Zaniolo feels “bitter and disappointed” with the terms of his redemption.
Juventus could capitalize on this situation, with Udinese valuing Zaniolo in the region of €15-20 million. The clubs have a good relationship and a deal could potentially include Juventus players as part of a swap arrangement, with Udinese reportedly interested in young talents Adzic and Daffara. Zaniolo himself is a Juventus supporter and a return to a major club after a difficult spell with Roma is appealing.
Spalletti is also said to be a firm believer in Zaniolo’s potential, particularly his development in terms of mentality. However, Zaniolo is focused on renegotiating his contract with Udinese, who gave him a platform to relaunch his career in Serie A, before considering any other offers. The possibility of a move to Juventus remains open, alongside interest from AC Milan, who are also assessing potential midfield targets. Juventus are also monitoring Albert Gudmundsson of Fiorentina as a further alternative, but Diaz remains their primary target, with Spalletti willing to wait until August for a resolution.
