Juventus Transfer News and Rumours Tracker: Week of January 5
The Serie A season gets back underway this week, with a full round of matches played over Monday and Tuesday. Despite the return to action, most clubs will be working hard to strengthen their squads this month in order to achieve their ambitions for the remainder of the campaign.
That is especially true at Juventus, the Turin giants hoping to not only add a fourth consecutive league title, but also to continue their progress in Europe. Already in the knockout stages of the Champions League, the Old Lady will be looking to continue battling on all fronts in the coming weeks.
In a revealing interview with La Stampa, Massimiliano Allegri discussed the club’s approach to the transfer market, telling the Turin-based newspaper that Juventus must take a cautious approach. Asked who he expects to arrive in January to help them compete with the continent’s best sides, the coach told them (h/t Football Italia):
"I'd like to have a €15m villa, but if I can't afford it I have to look for an apartment that I like. Though in reality we're dealing with a villa, it just has a particular situation behind it. The club’s objective is to raise the technical level of Juventus.
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Clearly, Allegri is awaiting some reinforcements now that the transfer window has opened. Over the following pages is a look at all the latest news and rumours concerning the Bianconeri, updated daily to keep you fully informed.
*UPDATED FRIDAY JANUARY 9*
Wesley Sneijder Happy at Galatasaray
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Despite increasing speculation he is set to move to Juventus, the agent of Wesley Sneijder insists he will stay in Turkey. The Bianconeri have been linked with the midfielder over the past week, but his representative told Gianluca Di Marzio on Friday that the move is highly unlikely.
“Sneijder still has a year and a half on his Galatasaray contract,” Guido Albers said (h/t Football Italia). “If Juventus want him, they can pay his €20m release clause."
“Wesley is happy in Istanbul, I don’t know where these rumours surrounding him have come from. I don’t understand Juventus’ optimism, later we’ll talk with Galatasaray about extending his contract.”
Sebastian Giovinco to Monaco?
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The agent of Sebastian Giovinco has refused to discuss rumours linking the striker with a move to Monaco. The 27-year-old is out of contract and the end of the season, with the Bianconeri seemingly unwilling to offer him a new deal, prompting speculation he will leave the club this month.
“I will not confirm, but nor will I deny negotiations with Monaco,” Andrea D’ Amico told TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t Football Italia). “There are a lot of clubs interested in Giovinco, both in January and in July.”
“We’ve taken note of Juventus’ decision, and we’re certainly not lacking in offers. We’ll evaluate them calmly.”
Wesley Sneijder Not Good Enough for Juventus
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Luciano Moggi believes Wesley Sneijder is simply not good enough for Juventus. With the Bianconeri strongly linked to the Galatasaray midfielder, former director general criticised the move in an interview with Radio CRC.
“Personally, I wouldn’t sign him,” Moggi said (h/t Forza Italian Football). “The player hasn’t shown desire to come to Juve and I don’t think he’ll be a major reinforcement.
“He is only good enough for the bench.”
Porto Want Rolando to Renew His Contract Before Leaving
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Gianluca Di Marzio believes Porto are demanding that Rolando renews his contract with them before allowing him to leave. Writing on his own website, the Italian journalist states that only then will the Bianconeri make a move for the central defender.
Juventus Retain Option Despite New Contract for Simone Zaza
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After Simone Zaza renewed his contract with Sassuolo per the club’s official website, the player’s agent revealed Juventus still have their right-to-buy option on the striker. The 23-year-old agreed terms on a new deal with the Neroverdi that ties him to the club until 2019, but that does not affect his situation with the Bianconeri.
“The Bianconeri have reserved the right to repurchase Zaza,” his representative Christian Maifredi revealed to Tuttomercatoweb (h/t Football Italia). “For the future the goal is to play at the highest level, to aspire to higher goals than those of Sassuolo, which is still the reality, with all due respect.”
Massimiliano Allegri Has No Issue with Carlos Tevez
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Following comments that he will not be renewing his contract with Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri says he has no problem with Carlos Tevez. The Argentinean striker’s current deal expires in June 2016 and the coach explained he understands the situation.
“There is still a year and a half and maybe he spoke during a moment when his guard was down,” Allegri said at a press conference on Monday, perForza Italian Football. “We are all professionals and we can think what we like.
“He is employed by Juventus and if in a couple of years he wants to leave then it’s only right he goes his way, for his own good and for the good of the club.”
Manolo Gabbiadini Officially Joins Napoli
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Napoli have announced the signing of Manolo Gabbiadini, handing the striker their number 23 shirt. The club announced the deal in a statement on their official website, ending the player’s co-ownership arrangement with Sampdoria and Juventus.
Meanwhile, the Turin giants have revealed they made a profit of €2 million from the sale of Gabbiadini. In a statement on their official website, the Bianconeri announced they had sold their share of the 23-year-old for a fee of €6.25 million.
Massimiliano Allegri Believes Wesley Sneijder Would Improve Juventus
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Massimiliano Allegri says Wesley Sneijder could improve the quality of the Juventus squad. The coach was asked about the potential arrival of the the Galatasaray star, who has been strongly linked with a move to Turin this month.
“Sneijder of course has some great technical qualities and he's proven that over his career,” Allegri told reporters at a press conference on Monday per Football Italia. “He'd be completing a strong midfield, which would also create competition in that department, and that's important.”
Sebastian Giovinco to Consider His Options
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According to his agent, Sebastian Giovinco is to consider his options before deciding where his future lies. Speaking to Radio Deejay about the player, his representative Andrea D’Amico said (h/t Forza Italian Football):
"One week he is linked with Fiorentina and the next somebody else. I’ll check with him and analyse everything. But this isn’t like picking a holiday destination.
My job is to listen to all the offers made for Sebastian. Right now there are many sides that want him and we’ll make a decision at the right time.
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Wesley Sneijder’s Agent Issues Juventus Warning
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The agent of Wesley Sneijder has told Juventus that the player won’t be heading to Turin in a cut-price deal. Speaking to Bugun TV in Turkey, Guido Albers said (h/t Football Italia):
"Galatasaray don’t want to sell Sneijder. Wesley loves the club and its fans. Neither he nor his wife want to leave Istanbul.
If Juve are really interested, then they should talk to Galatasaray and pay the €20 million buy-out clause in his contract. Not €5, 10 or 12 million, they need €20 million.
They have no need to talk to me, as I’m not the one who can sell the player. In any case, I can confirm that so far no offers have come in and Wesley is happy at Galatasaray.
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Meanwhile, Galatasaray coach Hamza Hamzaoglu spoke to the press on Sunday, stating his position on the matter. “We have no intention of selling him, but of course there are going to be rumours during the transfer window,” he said (h/t Football Italia).
“If he came to me and told me he wanted to leave, then we’d talk about it.”
Juventus Continue Talks for Rolando Deal
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Juventus are believed to be making progress in their attempt to bring Rolando to the club on loan from Porto. Writing on his own website, Gianluca Di Marzio revealed the two sides have continued to discuss a deal for the defender who played at Inter last season.
Manolo Gabbiadini Thanks Sampdoria and Looks Forward to Napoli Move
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As he completes his transfer to Napoli, Manolo Gabbiadini has thanked Sampdoria for the time he spent with them. “I want to salute the Samp fans,” the striker told Sky Italia (h/t Football Italia) as he left the Genovese club’s training ground on Sunday.
“It was a wonderful year and a half here. Am I excited about the Napoli adventure? I am fired up to the right point.”
The transfer is expected to fetch a €13 million fee, which will be split between Sampdoria and Juventus who co-own the 23-year-old.
Fiorentina Announce Neto’s Intention to Leave the Club
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Norberto Neto has told Fiorentina he will not renew his contract, with Juventus, Roma and Liverpool seemingly ready to offer him an alternative. The Brazilian goalkeeper’s current deal expires in June, and the Viola announced the news on their official website.
“Neto was keen to make it known that his decision is entirely unrelated to financial motivations,” read the statement. “His desire to be free to decide his own future the sole reason behind his move.”
Juventus 1 of 5 Teams Interested in Alessandro Diamanti
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Juventus are reportedly one of five teams interested in bringing Alessandro Diamanti back from China. Writing on his own website, Gianluca Di Marzio believes Guangzhou Evergrande may release the striker, with the Bianconeri joining Atalanta, Hellas Verona, Milan and Fiorentina in monitoring the situation.
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