Juventus Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of December 15
With one game remaining before the winter break, Juventus sit atop the Serie A standings and enjoy just a one-point lead over nearest rivals Roma.
Massimiliano Allegri’s side were frustrated by Sampdoria on Sunday, the Genovese side holding the Bianconeri to a 1-1 draw in Turin.
That game, reviewed here, marked the first time the Old Lady had failed to win following 25 consecutive victories at Juventus Stadium.
The result frustrated Allegri, who told Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia) "we should've made more of our chances."
In the same interview, the Italian acknowledged that being at the top of the table "is what counts," but he knows there is much room for improvement.
That improvement could come in the transfer market, with the Bianconeri linked with moves for a raft of players ahead of the January transfer window.
Over the following pages is a look at all the news and rumours concerning Juventus' transfer activity, updated daily to keep you fully informed of the latest talk.
*UPDATED FRIDAY DECEMBER 19*
Sebastian Giovinco Angry with Juventus
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Sebastian Giovinco's agent has said that the striker is unhappy about his situation with Juventus, but denied claims of a move to Napoli. His representative Andrea D'Amico discussed the player's feels at being a reserve with the Bianconeri, telling RAI (h/t Football Italia):
"When he has played as a starter he always did really well, likewise in the national team, but then he went back to the bench at Juventus. What more can you ask of a player that brings together experience, technique, class and creativity?
The final word comes down to Allegri, but it's only normal that when a player has these qualities and sees himself rewarded in such small measure, he will feel angry within himself about his position. In any case his contract expires in 2015 and from the beginning of January he'll be free to evaluate other options for his future.
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Going on to discuss the talk of a switch to the Stadio San Paolo, D'Amico said their had been no talks. "Giovinco to Napoli is a journalistic suggestion," he continued. "They talked about it after the injury to [Lorenzo] Insigne. With Napoli there is nothing concrete and we, the agents, have an obligation to verify the concrete offers and counsel our players.”
Andrej Kramaric Wants to Play Regularly If He Moves
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Juventus target Andrej Kramaric says he will only leave Rijeka for a side able to give him regular playing time, and professed his desire to play in a different league. Speaking to Sportske Novosti, the striker said earlier this week (h/t Football Italia):
"I’d love to play in La Liga, the type of football that they play in Spain suits me more. It’s a tough decision, I’ve had sleepless nights.
What will my choice depend on? The chance to be a starter. Sitting on the bench is not an option, I want to ensure that I’ll play.
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Meanwhile, TuttoSport have reported (h/t Football Italia) that the 23-year-old will cost around €10 million.
Simone Zaza to Juventus in January
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A report in Italy insists Juventus will activate their buy-back clause and bring Simone Zaza to Turin in January. According to CalcioMercato.com, the Bianconeri want to add a striker this winter and director general Beppe Marotta has decided the 23-year-old fits the bill (h/t Football Italia).
That news was followed up by a report of a meeting between the two clubs on Tuesday night. Writing on his own website, Gianluca Di Marzio noted that Sassuolo’s Giovanni Carnevali and Beppe Marotta of Juventus discussed the futures of Domenico Berardi, Sime Vrsaljko and Zaza.
The respected journalist believes the trio will remain with the Neroverdi until the end of the season, but could join the Old Lady in the summer.
Juventus Consider Move for Star Diego Perotti
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As they seek attacking reinforcements during the January transfer window, Juventus are reportedly pondering a move for Genoa’s Diego Perotti. The Argentinean has been identified as a target according to La Gazzetta dello Sport, noting the winger’s European experience with Sevilla last term a major factor in their pursuit (h/t Forza Italian Football).
Sebastian Giovinco Not Ready to Consider Juventus Exit
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With his contract expiring in June, Sebastian Giovinco’s agent has denied the player is ready to end his relationship with the Bianconeri. Speaking in an interview with the Gianluca Di Marzio website on Tuesday, the striker’s representative Andrea D’Amico said:
"Giovinco to Arsenal? At the moment only Juventus can negotiate with him, later on however things can change since he has an expiring contract. He also stated that he wants to evaluate options at the end of the season, since right now there is Serie A and the Champions League.
I haven’t met many times with Juventus, on our end we have always been open to it. Fiorentina? We know they like the player, but we’ll need to evaluate the project. Giovinco is 27 years old, he’s in the prime of his career and he has had some important experiences at Juventus.
In my opinion giving up on him is a risk, there aren’t players with his quality and attributes: the fact that Conte has selected him to national team proves it. If he continues this way, we are certain there will be many offers: continuity is fundamental in this job, it gives confidence and mental motivation, which are fundamental.
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Meanwhile, Torino have ruled out a move for the striker, with the club president denying they would seek to sign him in January. “Giovinco is out of contract,” Urbano Cairo noted to TuttoSport (h/t Football Italia).
“I don’t think he wants to renew but doing a deal with Juventus would be difficult and we don’t want to start a soap opera.”
Boca Juniors and Juventus Discuss Carlos Tevez
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The President of Boca Juniors had dinner with Carlos Tevez and Juventus president Andrea Agnelli on Monday night. Discussing the meeting with reporters, Daniel Angelici said (h/t Football Italia):
"We discussed his return to Boca, without giving a precise date, he has a contract until 2016 and we respect Juve. However, if Carlos did want to come back earlier, we’d make an effort to ensure he finishes his career at his home.
It was a positive meeting with Agnelli. We talked about many things: the objective is to reinforce the institutional bonds between the two clubs.
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However, speaking at the Gran Galà del Calcio awards later that evening, the player moved to deny talk of a return. “No, it is not true,” Tevez told reporters per Forza Italian Football. “I have a contract with Juventus [until 2016] and I want to stay here in Italy.”
Bozhidar Kraev to Have Manchester City Trial
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Bozhidar Kraev is set to have a week-long trial at Manchester City, having been offered a shorter alternative by Juventus. The 17-year-old Bulgarian attacking midfielder seems set to leave Levski Sofia, and the club have revealed his plans for the coming weeks.
“City wants him for a seven-day trial whereas Juventus offered him three days of training,” sporting director Georgi Ivanov said per Jamie Jackson of The Guardian. “And he will go. Of course, we should not take this as a granted contract, but it is a positive signal for Kraev’s progress.”
Napoli Rush to Sign Manolo Gabbiadini Amid Inter Interest
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Having watched Manolo Gabbiadini net a vital goal for Sampdoria against Juventus, Napoli are believed to be working hard to complete a deal for the striker.
Writing on his own website, Gianluca Di Marzio reports that only a minor issue over image rights stands in their way.
The Italian transfer expert also notes that Inter have made an enquiry for the 23-year-old, although the player himself remains focused on Sampdoria.
“Lately there has been too much talk, so I prefer to do my talking on the pitch, play the way I know how and try to score goals,” Gabbiadini told Sky Italia after the game (h/t Football Italia).
Martin Montoya Situation “complicated”
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Luis Enrique says Martin Montoya is in a "difficult" situation, but he urged the full-back to change the circumstances in which he finds himself.
Last week, the player’s agent told Calciomercato (h/t Football Italia) that clubs should approach Barcelona for the 23-year-old.
That prompted Juventus to send a delegation to Spain, per the Gianluca Di Marzio website.
Speaking in a press conference over the weekend, Enrique refused to be drawn on the matter, according to Football Italia:
"The players have contracts in place, we won't talk about the conversations behind closed doors. I understand his situation and I encourage him to continue working hard to change it.
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I'm only really interested in what happens on the pitch, and I appreciate his work. His situation is difficult but not impossible to change. I will not talk about comments made by representatives of players.
