Juventus have taken a significant step in their pursuit of Feyenoord defender David Hancko. Tuttosport report how Sasha Baranov, Hancko’s agent, was spotted at the recent Juventus vs Manchester City match, where he also had a scheduled meeting with Juventus management to discuss the Slovak defender’s potential transfer.
Cristiano Giuntoli, Juventus’ sporting director, has shown keen interest in Hancko, having previously sent scouts to observe him during Euro 2024. Giuntoli personally watched Hancko in action during a City-Feyenoord match a few weeks ago and was thoroughly impressed with his performance.
However, the transfer won’t come cheap. Feyenoord value their prized asset at around 40 million euros, though this figure could potentially be negotiated down to 35 million. Given the high costs involved, Juventus cannot complete the deal in January without making some profitable sales first.
The Turin club are exploring creative solutions to make the transfer feasible. They are considering proposing a loan deal with an initial fee of 4-5 million euros, coupled with an option to buy that would become mandatory if Juventus qualifies for the next Champions League.
An interesting factor in these negotiations is the existing relationship between Juventus and Feyenoord, exemplified by the recent loan deal for Facundo Gonzalez. This arrangement, which includes a conditional obligation to buy for 6 million euros, could potentially be leveraged to reduce Hancko’s transfer fee.
Hancko’s versatility makes him an attractive prospect for Juventus manager Thiago Motta. The 26-year-old can play both as a central defender and on the left side of defence. Moreover, he already has experience in Italian football, which could ease his adaptation if the transfer materializes.
