After a disappointing 2021-22 campaign both domestically and continentally, Juventus look to retool for a renewed challenge among the Italian elite.
Thanks to a horrid start to the 2021-22 season, Juventus finished a distant fourth in the Serie A table and were knocked out of the Champions League Round of 16.
The second half of the season provided promise, however, as the winter arrivals of Dusan Vlahovic and Denis Zakaria proved vital both for the remainder of the campaign and the club's long-term future. The Old Lady now looks to the 2022 summer transfer window to build on the base established by the important winter deals.
Juventus have proven free transfer kings in the past, and are linked again with a number of current free agents who need a home after departing their clubs. Could multiple high-profile free transfers again be Juve's to capture this summer?
MORE: Top free transfers available in summer transfer window 2022
The Sporting News is rounding up the key updates — all day, every day — below.
JUVENTUS CONFIRMED DEALS: Transfers in | Transfers out | Updated squad list
Latest Juventus transfer news
Last update: June 16
De Sciglio signs new contract
Juventus defender Mattia De Sciglio has signed a new contract, the club have announced. The 29-year-old's new contract runs until the summer of 2025.
Allegri 'concerned' about lack of progress in transfer market
Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri is reportedly concerned about the club's lack of progress in the transfer market. According to Corriere Dello Sport, although Paul Pogba is set to arrive, Juventus are looking to overhaul their squad this summer and there is much work to do.
Alvaro Morata 'set to return to Atletico Madrid'
Alvaro Morata is poised to return to Atletico Madrid after Juventus decided against activating their purchase option for the striker.
Morata has been on loan at Juventus for the past two seasons.
Dusan Vlahovic reveals truth behind Arsenal links
Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic has dismissed claims he rejected the chance to join Arsenal in the January transfer window.
The Gunners were tracking the Serbian international after he netted 41 Serie A goals in a season and a half with Fiorentina.
However, despite Arsenal's interest, Vlahovic opted to join Juventus in a €70m (£60m/$73.2m) deal at the start of 2022.
"Maybe my agent knows [about Arsenal’s offer], but I never talked to anyone about it" he told an exclusive interview with The Telegraph.
"I just had one club in my mind because Juventus is Juventus. There is nothing else to say. I feel honoured to be given this jersey. It’s incredible every time I put it on."
Juventus to rival Barcelona for Ilkay Gundogan
The Juventus summer rebuild could include a move for Manchester City star Ilkay Gundogan ahead of the 2022/23 season.
Max Allegri will reshuffle his squad in the coming weeks, with reports from German outlet Bild claiming he is interested in Gundogan, despite a rival bid from Barcelona.
Gundogan has been linked with a move away from the Etihad Stadium — despite scoring the two goals which clinched the 2021/22 Premier League title — with his contract expiring in 2023.
🎙️ "ILKAY GUNDOGAN YOU LITTLE DANCER!!" 🕺
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 22, 2022
Manchester City turn it around at the Etihad!! WOW!! pic.twitter.com/4tRqwuvJUj
The 31-year-old wants a consistent starting spot ahead of the 2022 World Cup with his rotating role at City a source of frustration for the former Borussia Dortmund man.
Paul Pogba to return on a free transfer?
Manchester United announced the departure of Paul Pogba at the expiration of his contract, marking the second time the Frenchman has left Old Trafford on a free transfer.
There's much talk about a return to Juventus where he flourished before signing for Man United for a then-record transfer fee of €108 million ($115.5m / £92.5m).
UPDATE (Jun 15): Foot Mercato say Pogba has committed his future to Juventus by penning a four-year contract. That came two days after a Daily Mail report indicated he was on the verge of signing a deal worth an estimated £17m (€19.8m/$20.7m) per season.
If it comes to pass, Pogba will be taking a second spell at Juventus over reported interest from PSG. Since early June, all signs have pointed to Turin with multiple reports identifying Juventus as the frontrunners (Calciomercato, The Athletic among others).
Will Angel Di Maria be latest free transfer to sign?
After departing PSG this summer upon the expiration of his contract, Angel Di Maria is looking for a new club. Di Maria torched Italy during "La Finalissima" on June 1, proving the 34-year-old has plenty left in the tank.
He could have a match in Juventus, who need attacking talent after the departure of Paulo Dybala and likely exit of Alvaro Morata.
UPDATE (Jun 8): Juventus have set a deadline for Di Maria to agree a move to Turin or accept a potential offer elsewhere. As per reports from Goal Italia, the Turin giants need a response in order to line up alternatives to the Argentinian.
Di Maria più lontano dalla Juve: i bianconeri non intendono allungare i tempi ⚠️⚪️⚫️🇦🇷 [✍️ @romeoagresti] https://t.co/kImorQTRSr
— GOAL Italia (@GoalItalia) June 7, 2022
Italian publication Calciomercato in May stated that Di Maria has two different contracts on the table from Juventus. The first is for a one-year deal with an option for a second year at a salary of €8 million per year. The other is for a straight one-year deal with no option at a salary of €6 million. The difference in salary is down to Italian taxes, and according to the report, Di Maria's net salary would be the same on both offers.
Juventus identify a backup for Vlahovic?
With Alvaro Morata likely heading back to Atletico Madrid after his Juventus loan and Moise Kean not living up to standards, Juventus could look elsewhere for a striker to fill in behind talisman Dusan Vlahovic. The Serbian joined in the winter from Fiorentina for a hefty fee, and has proven his worth up front.
Still, he will need talent behind him, and that could come in the form of Colombian striker Luis Muriel, whose Atalanta contract expires in summer 2023. He scored nine goals and assisted nine others at Atalanta this past season, but injuries have seen him miss time. A lesser role could suit him and help Juventus not rely so heavily on Vlahovic.
Italian tranfser news outlet Calciomercato, first reported Muriel as a Juventus option in May with a transfer target pegged at €15 million ($16m / £12m).
Rabiot, Ramsey to leave?
While Juventus will look to upgrade the squad, the midfield in Turin appears full. New arrival Denis Zakaria will see plenty of time, USMNT international Weston McKennie has carved out a starting role for himself, and Manuel Locatelli is also heavily involved.
That leaves Adrien Rabiot and the returning Aaron Ramsey on the outside, and the two could be candidates for squad trimming to keep the wage bill reasonable.
According to a June 1 report in Italy's Corriere dello Sport (passed on by both The Mirror and The Daily Star), while Chelsea remain interested in Rabiot, he may prove a better fit for Newcastle. The report states Rabiot could be had for a €15 million ($16m / £13m) transfer fee.
It's a different story with Ramsey. According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (passed on by Sport Witness), Juventus are looking to terminate Ramsey's contract a year early, and discussions about a severance package are underway.
Juventus Transfers: Summer 2022 transfer window
Players In:
| Date | Player | Position | Age | Club | Transfer/Loan Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 31 | Aaron Ramsey | CM | 31 | Rangers | End of loan |
| June 30 | Merih Demiral* | CB | 24 | Atalanta | End of loan |
* Current loan deal has option to buy, could potentially stay
Players Out:
| Date | Player | Position | Age | Club | Transfer/Loan Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June 30 | Giorgio Chiellini | CB | 37 | LAFC | Free transfer |
| June 30 | Paulo Dybala | FW | 28 | Out of contract | Free transfer |
| June 30 | Alvaro Morata | CF | 29 | Atletico Madrid | End of loan |
Juventus full squad & projected lineup
Below is the updated Juventus first-team roster. New additions during the summer 2022 window are noted in bold:
Goalkeepers (3): Mattia Perin, Carlo Pinsoglio, Wojciech Szczesny.
Defenders (7): Leonardo Bonucci (CB), Juan Cuadrado (RB), Danilo (RB), Matthijs de Ligt (CB), Daniele Rugani (CB), Alex Sandro (LB), Mattia de Sciglio (RB).
Midfielders (6): Arthur (CM), Manuel Locatelli (CM), Weston McKennie (CM), Adrien Rabiot (CM), Aaron Ramsey (CM), Denis Zakaria (CM).
Forwards (5): Marley Ake (LW), Federico Chiesa (RW), Kaio Jorge (CF), Moise Kean (CF), Dusan Vlahovic (CF).
CB = center back; LB = left back; RB = right back; CM = central midfielder; CAM = attacking midfielder; CF = center forward; LW = left wing; RW = right wing
The current Juventus projected first-choice starting lineup, when completely healthy, currently looks like:
Juventus projected starting XI (3-5-2): Szczesny (GK) — De Ligt, Bonucci, Rugani — Sandro, McKennie, Locatelli, Zakaria, Cuadrado — Chiesa, Vlahovic.
