Far from being a quiet day in the Juventus transfer offices, Tuesday proved to be a key moment in shaping the Bianconeri’s January plans. The market is poised for take-off, but the direction is still uncertain — and one thing now seems clear: it won’t be England.
Tuttosport report that, despite Juventus’ interest, Crystal Palace continue to stand firm over Jean-Philippe Mateta. The issue isn’t only the size of Juve’s bid, but the structure of it. The Premier League side want an immediate cash payment to record in the current financial year, while Juventus are proposing a deferred deal, dependent on European qualification. The gap remains wide, and with that obstacle in place, the Turin club’s focus has shifted elsewhere.
En-Nesyri deal takes shape
Juve’s attention has now turned strongly towards Youssef En-Nesyri, the Moroccan striker currently at Fenerbahçe. The player, who earns around €8 million net per season, has become an option over the past week as the Turkish club seek to make room for a new arrival.
Juventus are prepared to take him on a temporary deal until the end of the season, covering part of his salary and adding a small compensation fee to accelerate the process. Once Fenerbahçe give the green light, talks would move to the buy-out clause, which could reach around €20 million — meaning a total package in the region of €25 million, but with only €5 million guaranteed.
Crucially, Juventus would retain flexibility this summer to reassess the striker position depending on future plans. For En-Nesyri, the task would be clear: to earn his spot through goals and hard work. Discussions are scheduled in the coming hours to bridge the financial gap and define the final details. Should the Mateta deal completely collapse, Juve intend to move decisively for En-Nesyri, aiming to have him ready for Sunday’s showdown against Napoli.
Maldini and Gudmundsson among the alternatives
Meanwhile, the tug of war continues with Napoli over Daniel Maldini. Juventus have not yet made their decisive move, though Atalanta’s stance is firm: €10 million guaranteed, or a loan with an obligation to buy.
Cristiano Giuntoli and Giovanni Manna remain patient, waiting on potential outgoing deals — namely Charles De Ketelaere and Lorenzo Lucca — before finalising any new arrivals. Sporting director Giovanni Ottolini is prioritising the striker situation first.
Juventus have also kept tabs on Albert Gudmundsson, now at Fiorentina and formerly of Genoa. His name resurfaced in recent talks with the Viola, but Fabio Paratici has yet to open the door to his departure. Paratici, instead, would welcome a defensive reinforcement from Juventus, notably Daniele Rugani — though a move for the centre-back looks complicated.
Outgoings and final stretch
More straightforward, however, are potential exits for fringe players. João Mário remains likely to leave, with the Turkish league still a possible destination. Rouhi is also available for transfer, while Pedro Felipe could head out on loan to gain experience.
With twelve days left in the transfer window, Juventus are entering the decisive stage. Every operation now counts — and the first major fork in the road is clear: Mateta or En-Nesyri.
