The Motta-Juventus rebuild: What do the Bianconeri still need in the summer transfer window?
With former Bologna coach Thiago Motta taking the Juventus reins from Massimiliano Allegri during the summer, there is plenty of hope and expectation of a Serie A title challenge in 2024/25, but it has been a somewhat quiet transfer window for the Italian giants so far.
Goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio has arrived after two impressive top-flight campaigns with Monza and is expected to take over from an ageing Wojciech Szczesny. But with 17 clean sheets last term, it was the other end of the pitch where the Old Lady struggled to entertain despite amassing enough points to secure Champions League qualification.
Hellas Verona left-back Juan Cabal provides a like-for-like replacement for the outgoing Alex Sandro, but things get interesting as you move up the pitch. Penalty specialist Douglas Luiz, who has also scored twice directly from corner kicks, has arrived from Aston Villa for €50m and Khephren Thuram has joined from Nice to continue the family legacy.
Juventus seek youth for central defence
Daniele Rugani was once an up-and-coming centre-back with Empoli, but has managed to reach 30 years old without ever fulfilling the promise shown that took him to Turin. Bremer and Federico Gatti are likely to be the first-choice pairing under Motta, but the next in line is a 33-year-old Danilo, who spent most of his career at full-back.
For much of the summer, Juventus have chased the talents of Nice centre-back Jean-Clair Todibo, but after letting 19-year-old Thuram exit for Italy, the French club might be less willing to let go of someone who has been a mainstay of their defence for four seasons.
If a move for Todibo can't be done, Juventus must go after other targets soon because there is a lack of quality depth at the back and they have sold Dean Huijsen to Bournemouth.
Do the Bianconeri lack midfield creativity?
A scroll down the Juventus squad suggests a wealth of central midfield options, but many of the choices available to Motta largely perform functional roles, such as the incoming Luiz, Thuram and Manuel Locatelli. Weston McKennie still looks destined for a move away from Turin.
Bianconeri youngster Nicolo Fagioli has the talent to pull the attacking strings behind striker Dusan Vlahovic, but an alternative and experienced option will be needed to fight Inter for the scudetto, and Teun Koopmeiners of Atalanta looks like an achievable target if they can agree a suitable fee with La Dea.
If not, the Old Lady could reignite their interest in Genk player Bilal El Khannouss, once the Morocco international’s involvement in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris is complete.
Who will provide support for Dusan Vlahovic?
Previous summer transfer windows have been full of rumours linking Vlahovic with a move away from Turin, specifically to high-ranking Premier League clubs, but the lack of speculation since the end of the 2023/24 campaign suggests that Juventus are not even entertaining offers for the 24-year-old striker.
However, starting 2024/25 with Arkadiusz Milik as the backup for the Serbian appears a little foolish, even if the club continue to explore alternative attacking options on the flanks. Borussia Dortmund wide-attacker Karim Adeyemi is expected to join, whereas AS Roma winger Stephan El Shaarawy could be a surprise cut-price option.