Following their disappointing elimination from the Italian Supercoppa at the hands of Sergio Conceicao’s Milan, Juventus are gearing up for an intense January both on and off the pitch. The club’s plan, outlined months ago to address the severe injuries to Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal, involves bringing in two defenders within the next thirty days. The priority is to secure reinforcement as quickly as possible to have a new player available for upcoming league matches and Champions League fixtures against Bruges and Benfica.
Speaking directly from Riyadh, Managing Director Football Cristiano Giuntoli emphasized Juventus’ urgent need to intervene in the transfer market to strengthen their defensive line. He acknowledged the complexities of the January market, noting that other teams are also in competition, which makes it challenging to find the right situation.
David Hancko, the left-footed defender formerly of Fiorentina and Sparta Prague and now at Feyenoord, is Giuntoli’s top priority. Valued between 25 and 30 million euros by the Dutch club, Hancko is considered sellable only in the summer. However, Juventus, also looking for a replacement due to Danilo’s departure, will try until the last moment to convince Rotterdam to let the Slovak leave in January.
Simultaneously, the Bianconeri technical director is monitoring various options for a second reinforcement. Fikayo Tomori remains on the list, but the coaching change at Milan – with Sergio Conceicao replacing Fonseca – has slowed down negotiations that began before Christmas. The English defender has asked to stay with the Rossoneri and, having been reinstated in the starting lineup by the new coach, now seems less inclined to transfer.
Giuntoli hasn’t given up on Antonio Silva, for whom Benfica only accepts permanent transfer solutions, not loans. The future of Barcelona’s Araujo, a Uruguayan with a Spanish passport, and Milan Skriniar, who could leave Paris Saint-Germain on a six-month loan, remains uncertain.
In a January market described as “complicated” by Giuntoli himself, Juventus awaits the right opportunity without losing sight of the timelines dictated by upcoming matches and seasonal objectives. The Bianconeri director is aware of the need to intervene as soon as possible, but with patience and without taking risks, to reinforce the backline of Thiago Motta’s team.
