The day after their Supercoppa Italiana elimination at the hands of AC Milan, disappointment lingers heavily over Juventus. The journey back to Turin has only deepened the sense of stagnation within the club, with frustrations shared among the manager, players, and board.
The team appears mired in technical difficulties, with underwhelming performances compounded by summer signings who have struggled to integrate and impress. It is no secret that Juventus will turn to the January transfer market in a bid to reverse their concerning trajectory. Sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, alongside manager Thiago Motta, must address two pressing issues: a reliable defender and additional firepower in attack.
Ongoing Talks for Zirkzee, United’s Demands a Stumbling Block
The shortcomings of Juventus’ attack were evident once again during the Milan match, where Dusan Vlahovic worked tirelessly but lacked support. The Serbian striker has been overburdened this season, with no viable backup for when he is out of form, as seen during the Supercoppa in Riyadh. While Nico González is a different type of player, and Arkadiusz Milik has yet to recover his sharpness, Juventus’ alternatives have failed to deliver.
Thiago Motta’s ideal solution would be to reunite with Joshua Zirkzee, following their successful spell together at Bologna. Zirkzee, a unique striker who may not guarantee 20 goals per season, aligns better with Motta’s tactical vision than Vlahovic. Juventus’ discussions with Zirkzee have been ongoing, bolstered by the player’s agent, Kia Joorabchian. However, Manchester United, Zirkzee’s current club, complicates matters. While United are willing to loan the Dutch forward in January, they insist on including an obligation to buy, a condition Juventus are currently unwilling to meet. Patience will be key as negotiations continue.
Hancko prioritised for defence amid Tomori complications
Defensive issues have reached crisis levels for Juventus, with Bremer and Cabal sidelined due to cruciate ligament injuries and a complete breakdown in relations with Danilo. Strengthening the backline is Giuntoli’s top priority for January, with Feyenoord’s David Hancko and Milan’s Fikayo Tomori emerging as prime targets.
Hancko, a left-footed centre-back highly sought after by Thiago Motta, is seen as the ideal fit. The former Fiorentina player, however, comes with challenges. Feyenoord have been adamant in denying any negotiations with Juventus, and their asking price of €25-30 million adds a financial hurdle. To fund the move, Juventus may be forced into a major sale, with Nicolò Fagioli reportedly the leading candidate for departure.
Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Tomori has become increasingly complex. The arrival of Sergio Conceição as Milan’s new head coach has altered the dynamics, with the Portuguese manager keen to evaluate the English defender. Tomori’s starting role against Juventus was a symbolic setback for Motta and his ambitions. While Milan are not opposed to selling Tomori, his improved standing in the squad has solidified their valuation of €25-30 million. This forces Juventus into a difficult decision as they balance their need for reinforcements with financial constraints.
With pivotal fixtures looming in January, Juventus find themselves in urgent need of reinforcements to stabilise their faltering campaign. Giuntoli faces a race against time to secure the necessary signings, but the financial demands and logistical challenges of their targets leave the club at a crossroads. Whether it’s bolstering the attack with Zirkzee or strengthening the defence with Hancko or Tomori, the choices made this winter will significantly shape the remainder of Juventus’ season.
