Juventus are in talks with Angel Di Maria, but have already identified at least five alternatives if the Argentina international snubs a move to Turin.
The former PSG and Manchester United star is available as a free agent after the end of his contract in Paris. Di Maria wants a one-year deal, but Juventus would prefer him to stick around for two seasons, also for financial reasons.
The Bianconeri are looking to add quality to the attack following the departures of Paulo Dybala, Federico Bernardeschi and, potentially, Alvaro Morata. Football Italia can reveal the five alternatives to El Fideo considered at Continassa. Juventus may sign Di Maria and one of these five players if Morata doesn’t return to the club in the summer.
Nicolò Zaniolo
The Roma starlet has a contract expiring in June 2024. The Giallorossi won’t offer him a contract extension before the end of the summer transfer window and will listen to offers for the Italy international. However, Roma’s asking price exceeds €50m and they are unwilling to accept a player as part of the deal.
Domenico Berardi
A long-time Juventus target, who is available for €30-40m. Juventus are on good terms with Sassuolo following the signing of Manuel Locatelli last summer. However, the Neroverdi are unlikely to accept an initial loan offer with an obligation to buy for their best player. The talented winger has also been linked with Milan and his contract at the Mapei Stadium expires in June 2024.
Filip Kostic
The versatile winger, 29, is contracted with Eintracht Frankfurt until June 2023 and could therefore leave on the cheap this summer. The Bundesliga side want €15m for the Serbia international, whose agent Alessandro Lucci is also the representative of Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci and Mattia Perin. Kostic dropped a transfer hint on social media last week while he was having his hair cut and smiled when a friend said Juventus would be his next club.
David Neres
He is the latest winger linked with a move to Juventus, but Benfica are currently leading the race to secure his services. The Shakhtar Donetsk star sees his contract expire in June 2025. A Bola reported yesterday that Juventus have offered €10m for the Brazilian winger.
Mykhailo Mudryk
The 21-year-old is a teammate of David Neres but doesn’t have the same experience. He’d be an investment for the future, but Juventus have set their sights on him and will likely discuss his possible signing over the coming days.
Zaniolo berardi fit best, neres also good, just not take that argentine sheet
Zaniolo is perfect. I would also take MYKHAILO MUDRYK if it takes around 15 m. Neres is extremely wasteful
Berardi was average in the Euros and horrible in the WC qualifiers. Past his prime.
Zaniolo is injury prone. I don’t think we want to deal with another Dybala.
Neres seems like the best option for being cheap and much younger than Di Maria.