In a surprising turn of events, Juventus have set their sights on Sandro Tonali, with plans to secure the midfielder as early as January. This sudden shift in strategy comes from the club’s growing concern about potentially losing a Champions League spot, which remains their primary seasonal objective.
Corriere dello Sport report that the decision to pursue Tonali emerged from a crucial meeting held in Turin on Monday, attended by key figures including Cristiano Giuntoli, Stefano Stefanelli, and Francesco Romano. According to the report, to finance this ambitious move, Juventus are considering two significant departures: Nicolò Fagioli and, more unexpectedly, 19-year-old Kenan Yildiz.
Newcastle United are reportedly asking for €55 million for Tonali. Juventus hopes to raise a substantial portion of this sum through the sale of Yildiz, potentially fetching between €35-40 million. The young Turkish player’s international appeal and the significant plusvalua his transfer would generate make him an attractive asset to offload.
Manager Thiago Motta is seeking a dynamic, personality-driven midfielder like Tonali, as well as a high-caliber defender. Discussions have reignited interest in Milan Skriniar, who is eager to leave Paris and willing to restructure his salary to facilitate a move.
Juventus’ willingness to part with Yildiz stems from several factors, including the emergence of Conceiçao, Nico Gonzalez’s return, and the tactical assurances provided by Weah. The club also has promising options in Mbangula and Adzic.
Giuntoli aims to bolster the team’s aggressiveness, an area where Juventus has shown deficiencies in recent matches. Tonali’s arrival could allow Motta to utilize Koopmeiners as an interior midfielder in a three-man midfield, reminiscent of his role at Atalanta.
Defensive changes are also on the horizon. Skriniar’s potential arrival might pave the way for Danilo’s departure, with the Brazilian defender attracting interest from abroad, including from Antonio Conte.
Tonali, at 24, has impressed with his seamless return following a lengthy suspension, particularly in his national team performances. While he has faced some challenges at Newcastle, his desire to return to Italy has been evident.
As Giuntoli often states, the January transfer market is inherently unpredictable. In this case, the unpredictability lies in how swiftly Juventus can financially execute this ambitious plan.
