The summer’s most persistent outgoing headache has found its resolution. According to Fabrizio Romano, a verbal agreement has been reached between Juventus and Atletico Madrid for the transfer of Jonathan David — and in a development that has accelerated in the final hours of deadline day, Woltemade has now moved ahead of Zirkzee as the bianconeri‘s primary attacking target.
The David Deal: Loan with Right of Purchase, Atletico Cover the Majority of His Wages
The formula is the one that has been discussed for several days: an initial loan with a right of purchase clause. The critical detail that has allowed the deal to cross the line is Atletico’s agreement to cover more than 50% of David’s €6 million net annual salary — significantly reducing Juventus’s financial exposure on a player they have been trying to move on since the summer began.
David had already indicated his openness to the move, and the contact between Carnevali, Massara, and the Colchoneros has been sustained and positive throughout Monday. After Atletico submitted their official offer on Sunday evening, the two clubs worked through the financial mechanics during the course of Monday morning, and Romano’s confirmation — updated at 14:22 on 31 August — makes the destination clear. David heads to Madrid. His Juventus adventure, which produced 8 goals in 46 appearances and ended with the Allianz Stadium booing him off against Parma on Saturday, is definitively over.
Woltemade: Now the Number One Incoming Target — Zirkzee Falls Back
With the David exit creating the space Juventus required, the article reveals a decisive late shift in the club’s attacking priorities. The objective remains signing a second striker before the 8pm deadline — but the pecking order has changed. Zirkzee of Manchester United, Massara’s original preference throughout the summer, remains on the list. Sorloth of Atletico Madrid is no longer being pursued — the Spanish club are not opening that door within the same negotiation window as the David deal.
The player Juventus are now pushing hardest for in these final minutes is Woltemade. Newcastle have opened the door to a loan arrangement, Spalletti has called the player personally, and the momentum in the closing stages of the window has swung decisively in the German forward’s direction. Juventus, Calciomercato confirms, seem to have opted decisively for Woltemade — who is now the number one favourite to arrive at the Continassa.
The window closes at 8pm. The calls are being made. The summer’s last story is being written in real time.
