Juventus are yet to secure their priority targets in goalkeeper and striker positions with less than two weeks until the team departs for their pre-season tour, according to reports from Italy. The club is scheduled to travel to Asia on August 2nd to compete in matches against Chelsea, Inter Milan, and Palermo, but remain without reinforcements in crucial areas.
While the arrivals of Ekhator from Genoa and Celik as free agents have been confirmed, these signings do not address the pressing needs identified by manager Luciano Spalletti prior to the end of last season and reiterated by CEO Giovanni Carnevali. Carnevali stated the need for a goalkeeper and a striker as “fundamental pieces,” adding that the club must build around these acquisitions, but acknowledged “economic conditions and demands are very high” at present.
Efforts to sign a new goalkeeper have proven difficult. Initial target Alisson Becker remains with Liverpool, and a move for Aston Villa’s Emiliano “Dibu” Martinez has stalled due to a significant gap between Juventus’ offer of €6.5 million (loan with option to buy) and Villa’s €12 million valuation. Alternative options, including Guglielmo Vicario, recently of Tottenham Hotspur, and Parma’s Suzuki, have not fully convinced club officials. Vicario experienced a difficult season at Tottenham, while Suzuki is subject to strong competition from Premier League clubs and Paris Saint-Germain, and would require a fee of at least €30 million.
Similarly, the pursuit of a new striker has hit roadblocks. Following the departure of Dusan Vlahovic on a free transfer, and the fading of interest in Alexander Sorloth, Juventus have been engaged in protracted negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain for Randal Kolo Muani. However, PSG are demanding €50 million, while Juventus are unwilling to exceed €40 million. Alternative targets such as Joshua Zirkzee and Parma’s Pellegrino have been identified, but the club appears determined to exhaust all possibilities with Kolo Muani before pursuing other options. With the pre-season tour rapidly approaching, the club faces increasing pressure to finalize these key signings.
