Juventus Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Blaise Matuidi and Emre Can
Juventus reportedly won't bid more than €15 million for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi, despite being told another rumoured midfield target, Liverpool's Emre Can, is not for sale.
The Bianconeri have Matuidi at the top of their list of transfer targets this summer but will stay firm on their own valuation of the player, per Italian source La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia): "Juve won't raise their offer above €15 million. PSG want at least €20 million, meaning the two parties have reached something of an impasse."
It may be risky for Juve to play hardball over PSG's asking price, though, despite Matuidi having just one year remaining on his contract. The same article from Football Italia also cited French source Le Parisien reporting "Matuidi is keen on a move to England."
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Yet the main reason why the Bianconeri may want to relax their stance concerns the diminishing chances of the Serie A giants convincing Liverpool to part ways with Can.
The Anfield club has informed Juve that the Germany international is not for sale, according to TuttoMercatoWeb (h/t TalkSport). Manager Jurgen Klopp is described as a "big fan of Can" and is optimistic the 23-year-old, who is entering the final year of his contract, will stay with Liverpool for the long haul.
Can might only be contracted for one more season on Merseyside, but he is already looking forward to improving for the Reds, per Sam Williams of the club's official website: "Myself, I want to push on as well and I want to have good confidence and play a good season."
Juve's struggles to engineer a deal for Can have kept Matuidi on the radar of last season's UEFA Champions League finalists, according to Sky Sport Italy reporter Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Warren Haughton of The Sun).
Frankly, Juve should be happy to make up the €5 million difference if it nets the club Matuidi. The Frenchman would be a better acquisition than Can.
Matuidi is one of the most underrated players in Europe, a complete midfielder who influences big games at both ends of the pitch. A tireless runner from deep, the 30-year-old is a true box-to-box talisman, one whose energy is complemented by deceptive technique and a keen eye for goal.
Those qualities make Matuidi an ideal successor to Juve ace Sami Khedira. The former Real Madrid man is the same age as the France international but has had his share of injury problems during his career.
Can is a younger option, but Matuidi is a proven commodity. He has established a track record of solid performances at the highest level, the level Juve compete at as the dominant force in Serie A and having reached two Champions League finals in the last three years.
Matuidi would be a bargain for the Bianconeri, even at €20 million.
