Juventus Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of October 13
The international break is always a time for transfer talk to increase, and it is certainly no different with the news and rumours surrounding Juventus. The Turin giants have enjoyed an excellent start to the new campaign, yet they have a number of issues they may look to resolve during the January transfer window.
Speculation continues to link them with moves for an attacking player, while a number of the current squad are believed to be negotiating new contracts. The Bianconeri are looking to improve upon their recent showings in the Champions League, too. Reinforcements made during the winter could prove crucial to those hopes.
Over the following pages is a look at all the news surrounding the Serie A champions, updated every day to keep you fully up to date with the gossip concerning La Vecchia Signora.
*UPDATED FRIDAY OCTOBER 17*
Juventus move closer to new contract for Stephan Lichtsteiner
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Juventus appear to secure the long-term future of Stephan Lichsteiner, arranging a meeting later this month to discuss a two-year extension on his current deal. The Swiss defender’s contract expires at the end of the season but the 30-year-old remains an important member of Massimiliano Allegri’s squad.
Sky Italia report that Lichsteiner’s agent Pastorello will meet with representatives of the Bianconeri in late-October to finalise the details, per Forza Italian Football.
No Milan Offer for Ignazio Abate
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Despite his current deal expiring in June 2015, Milan are reportedly yet to offer a new contract to Ignazio Abate. The right-back has long been a target for Juventus, with SportMediaset linking him with a move to Turin only last month (h/t Football Italia) and now his agent has revealed the Rossoneri have yet to begin talks with the 27-year-old.
“What is the situation? Right now there isn’t one: Milan haven’t made an offer,” Mino Raiola told Calciomercato website (h/t Football Italia). “The lad is relaxed. There is still time, as there are eight months to go and we are in no rush to conclude a deal with Milan.”
Boca Juniors President Talks Up Carlos Tevez Return
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The president of Boca Juniors has surprisingly suggested Carlos Tevez may return to the Argentinean club as soon as 2015. The Juventus striker has made no secret of his desire to once again play for his former side, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t ESPN) he “will be back, for sure” at some point in the future.
However, speaking to ESPN this week, Daniel Angelici indicated he expects that to be earlier than many expect. “Let’s see if Tevez will come back next year,” the president said (h/t Football Italia). “We’ll talk with him, and try to find out if it would be a good time.”
The player has a contract which should keep him in Turin until 2016, and the same source discusses a claim from La Gazzetta dello Sport that the Bianconeri wish to extend that by a further two years.
Daniele Rugani Maintains Juventus Ambition
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Co-owned by Juventus and current club Empoli, Daniele Rugani admits he hopes a return to Turin awaits, but insists he is concentrating only on performing well for the Tuscan club. Having received a maiden call to Antonio Conte’s Italy squad, the 20-year-old defender was speaking after helping the Under-21 side secure qualification to next summer’s European championship.
“I’ve been followed by Juventus and cultivate the ambition to go back there,” Rugani told reporters after the Slovakia game (h/t Football Italia). “But for now I'm only focused on Empoli.”
Juventus Reignite Interest in Xherdan Shaqiri
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After he once again refused to downplay rumours of an exit, Juventus have been linked with a move for Swiss international Xherdan Shaqiri.
The Bayern Munich star was a summer target for the Bianconeri, and it seems his struggle to earn a regular place for the German champions has caught the attention of the Turin giants.
The 23-year-old appears to have fallen out of favour with Pep Guardiola, making just three starts thus far in 2014-15, and he made clear his discontent in a recent interview with Neue Zurcher Zeitung (h/t Football Italia):
"To do well I need to feel the trust of the club and of the Coach, but it is not always that way. That is why in the summer I pushed to leave, because I wanted more continuity and to try something new.
It is not nice to see yourself overtaken in the team by a 17-year-old, but I was asked to stay and so I did. Certainly in January we will meet with the club to talk about my future.
"
According to Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), the player recently told Juve that he is willing to join them.
Meanwhile, Liverpool and Galatasaray are also monitoring the situation closely, per the Daily Mirror.
Romelu Lukaku Reveals He Rejected Juventus This Summer
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Having completed a permanent move from Chelsea to Everton, Romelu Lukaku has revealed he turned down the chance to join Juventus this past summer.
"I thought about Serie A and Juventus because they are a big club. But for me Everton was perfect. I’m here and I’m happy. I don’t regret any choices I’ve made.
Everton was the best choice I could make as a young player who wants to progress
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and develop.
Agent of Sebastian Giovinco Slams Juventus
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The agent of Sebastian Giovinco has spoken out following his client’s impressive display for Italy against Azerbaijan.
The striker looked sharp after coming off the bench, hitting the crossbar before supplying the cross for the winning Azzurri goal.
Having invested in the 27-year-old after he shone at Parma, the Bianconeri have now allowed the player’s contract to run down, his current deal expiring at the end of the current campaign.
“I do not understand how Marotta and Juventus could decide to lose a fantastic player like Giovinco for free,” his representative, Andrea D’Amico, told Sportitalia (h/t Football Italia). “The club paid a great deal for him and every time he is called upon, he gives his contribution.”
Meanwhile, David Wright of the Daily Express believes Premier League clubs Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham are all monitoring the situation.
Adrien Rabiot Remains on Juventus Radar
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Roma and current club Paris Saint-Germain are both believed to have made improved offers to Adrien Rabiot, but the latest reports suggest Arsenal and Juventus continue to monitor the player as well.
The midfielder’s current deal expires this summer, and journalist Gianluca Di Marzio stated on his own website that Rabiot’s family prefer the latter two options.
Allegri Plays Down Arturo Vidal Issue
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Massimiliano Allegri has moved to cool talk that midfielder Arturo Vidal was punished for an incident in Turin earlier this month.
The player was reportedly late for training after becoming involved in an argument at a bar, but his coach insists the matter is behind both men (h/t Football Italia):
"There is no split with Vidal, the only reason he didn’t play against Roma was a technical decision. He played many games, had knee problems and returned from international duty with thigh problems.
"
Simone Pepe Keen to Extend Juventus Stay
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Despite his contract running out in June, Simone Pepe is seemingly looking to extend his stay with Juventus.
The 31-year-old has barely featured over the last two seasons, having suffered serious injuries. However, according to Tuttosport (h/t Forza Italian Football), he has turned down approaches from Atalanta, Cesena and Sampdoria to remain in Turin.
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