Juventus are on the move again, both on the pitch and on the transfer market. The club’s management continues its tour of Europe to identify the right reinforcements for next season, with the central defensive department now viewed as a clear priority by Luciano Spalletti.
Tuttosport report that the Juventus coach has made it known that the current options at centre-back are not enough if the team is to take a step up in quality. Aside from Gleison Bremer, no central defender is considered untouchable, and even Lloyd Kelly – a player Spalletti appreciates for his ability to play out from the back and distribute the ball – could be sacrificed for the right offer. Left-footed centre-backs remain a rare commodity, which only increases the strategic weight of this role in the club’s planning.
Senesi talks continue
In this context, negotiations for Marcos Senesi are progressing quickly. The Argentine defender will be available on a free transfer from July, after a positive spell at Bournemouth, and Juventus have already submitted a written offer to the player. The proposal is lower than that of Aston Villa, but the appeal of the Juventus shirt is a decisive factor. At 28, Senesi is in a position to sign the most important contract of his career; money matters, of course, but it is not the only consideration.
While work continues on Senesi, sporting director Marco Ottolini is also assessing other options. He has been travelling personally to watch targets, as he did last week with Jakub Kiwior, now at Porto. The Polish defender shares several characteristics with Kelly and has long been on Juventus’ radar, including during Cristiano Giuntoli’s time in charge of the sporting area.
Eyes on Kiwior
Kiwior first emerged in Italy with Spezia before earning a move to Arsenal. His time in the Premier League was not straightforward, despite the confidence shown in him by Mikel Arteta. Over three seasons he collected 68 appearances, a tally that underlines his status more as a squad player than an undisputed starter. Nevertheless, the Premier League remains a high-level proving ground, and Kiwior’s experience there has added to his profile.
Eager to secure a place at the World Cup with Poland – with a crucial play-off semi-final against Albania scheduled for 26 March – Kiwior chose to leave London in search of more continuity. Arteta understood and supported this decision, clearing the way for his move to Porto. The Portuguese club brought him in on an initial paid loan with an obligation to buy for a total package of around 23 million euros including bonuses, a reasonable figure for a 26-year-old left-footed centre-back. Porto are convinced they have done smart business, but Juventus are monitoring closely.
The Portugal mission
Ottolini’s recent trip to Portugal served to strengthen Juventus’ belief in Kiwior’s qualities, and the defender is now viewed as a serious option for the summer. His profile becomes even more interesting if the club decides to cash in on Kelly and bank a significant capital gain. Porto have already set an initial valuation of around 35 million euros for the former Spezia man, a price that reflects the scarcity of left-footed central defenders at the top level.
Kiwior, for his part, would gladly return to Serie A. In the past he has been tracked not only by Juventus, but also by Napoli and Milan, the latter having most recently approached Arsenal for a loan with an option to buy. That formula never convinced the Gunners, who instead found the ideal agreement with Porto, allowing the defender to relaunch his career at the Estádio do Dragão.
Juventus have taken note. Kiwior’s name is firmly on Ottolini’s list and could move back to the forefront if the Senesi deal falls through – and above all if Kelly is sold. In that case, the Bianconeri’s defensive reshuffle would truly be underway, with Portugal and the ex-Serie A defender at the heart of their plans.
