Coming towards the closing days of the winter transfer market, many rumours have emerged regarding Juventus. the Bianconeri were the centre of attention as it seemed that American international Weston Mckennie has agreed to join Premier League outfits Leeds United, allowing the Old Lady to potentially have enough funds to acquire Nicolo Zaniolo as he requested to depart Roma immediately.
In addition, a great deal of interest from the Premier League for Federico Chiesa has raised question marks regarding the 25 year-old Italian international’s future in Turin ahead of next season.
Furthermore, it has yet to have been decided whether or not Juventus are keen to keep French international Adrien Rabiot following his hefty wage demands with his contract expiring within six months time.
With so many unanswered questions circulating around Juventus, the FootItalia team was pleased to have had TuttoJuve journalist Mirko Di Natale speak to the site Saturday evening and provide his insight on the current circumstances of Juventus and what the Juventini can expect within the near future:
How close is the Weston McKennie deal to Leeds to being completed? What are the details of the transfer and which other clubs were in competition in signing the American international?
“Today was the day when Juventus and Leeds reached an agreement for McKennie. For Juventus, he has never been unselleable player. Old Lady have always shown an openness to listening to offers. I can say that no club before from Leeds, spoke concretely with them. So it was a negotiation that closed within 2/3 days. Wes will perhaps definitely explode in the Premier League, but today it has been an excellent sale from an economic point of view”.
Is there any chance that Juventus can sign Roma want-away Nicolo Zaniolo if McKennie departs as they would potentially have enough funds to meet the Giallorossi’s demands or will they try over the summer?
“No, Juventus will stay like this. These are the rumors I received from sources close to the club”.
Real Valladolid full-back Ivan Fresneda was monitored very closely by Juventus recently but they havet submitted an offer for the 18 year-old Spaniard. Are the Bianconeri considered out of the race for Fresneda and if so , which clubs seem to be the favourites to acquire him?
“I can say that Juventus were the first club to talk to the entourage. There were two meetings (the player was also in one of these) in recent months. Then there was the earthquake at inside the club, so everything was slowed down. And Juventus were no longer able to deal with the interest from other clubs. I don’t know, honestly, where he will go, but I am aware of the strong interest from Borussia Dortmund. He could go to play in Bundesliga”.
There seems to be a great deal of interest revolving around Federico Chiesa from the Premier League. Which clubs are monitoring him and considering in submitting a bid and are Juventus open yo negotiating a price for the 25 year-old winger?
“Today there is no price for Federico Chiesa, because the player cannot be sold. Premier League is always attracted to the greatest players, Chiesa before the injury was one of the best in the world in his role. Juve believe a lot in his qualities, Federico is one of the players on whom the project is being built”.
With six months remaining on Adrien Rabiot’s contract, is it likely that Juventus will not renew him and if not, which clubs are the favourites or most interested in the Frenchman and have Juventus identified any potential replacements within the central park of the pitch?
“Two weeks ago, I was told that Juventus intention – in the next few months – are to try and make a concrete offer to keep Adrien. It’s difficult, very difficult, for him to stay in Torino, also because his demands at least same salary. And there are many Premier League clubs (unfortunately I don’t know the names yet) who are very happy to pay a salary of € 10mln”.
