Juventus are attempting to bolster their attacking options ahead of their pre-season tour, with a number of potential signings under consideration, according to reports in Italy. The club is facing pressure to secure a new forward following an injury to Ekhator during a friendly match against Basel, which will sideline him for at least a month.
Juventus manager Massimiliano Spalletti had hoped to begin working with Ekhator, but his absence has prompted the club to accelerate their search for reinforcements. Currently, the squad for the upcoming tour – beginning with a trip to Hong Kong – consists of Openda, David, and Milik, a situation the club is keen to address before departing.
The ‘ideal’ scenario for Juventus involves signing a starting striker, leading them to temporarily pause their pursuit of Vélez Sarsfield’s Mateo Pellegrino. The club is prioritizing clarity on the situations surrounding Dusan Vlahovic and Randal Kolo Muani. Negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain for Kolo Muani are proving difficult, with PSG reportedly hesitant to accept Juventus’ latest offer of €35 million plus bonuses and a percentage of any future sale, potentially bringing the total deal to around €45 million.
Despite the complications with Kolo Muani, Juventus are confident of securing Pellegrino, with his agents expected in Italy to finalize a five-year contract. However, interest in the young Argentinian has increased, with clubs from the Premier League, La Liga, and Fiorentina – managed by former Juventus director Fabio Paratici – also expressing interest. Fiorentina’s ability to pursue Pellegrino is contingent on offloading Moise Kean and Roberto Piccoli. Talks with Como for Kean are reportedly progressing.
Parma are also positioned to potentially facilitate a deal for Pellegrino, offering Juventus a priority option for the player if they can finalize a deal within the next ten days. Parma need to generate funds through player sales, and Pellegrino is seen as a valuable asset, potentially fetching €30 million, or €25 million if Juventus opt for a loan with an obligation to buy. Juventus would need to secure Kolo Muani to justify this approach, as they cannot afford to sign both players outright. Alexander Sorloth remains a backup option, potentially discussed during negotiations with Atlético Madrid regarding Nico Gonzalez, along with Jean Philippe Mateta.
