Juventus are beginning to shape their transfer strategy ahead of the next window, with the club keen to strengthen Luciano Spalletti’s squad in several key areas. Tuttosport report that the Bianconeri have stepped up scouting efforts across Italy, and their latest focus lies on the Cagliari–Bergamo axis — with one fast-rising talent firmly in their sights.
The “Gym” Wordplay Becomes Reality
The Old Lady seems eager to “go to the gym” — a tongue-in-cheek phrase referring to their growing interest in right-sided talent Marco Palestra. The 2005-born Atalanta-owned player, currently on loan at Cagliari, has impressed Juventus scouts week after week. One of their representatives was in the stands at the Unipol Domus on Sunday to watch him closely, and Palestra did not disappoint, delivering a performance that reportedly earned him top marks.
Juventus have followed Palestra since last summer, when early talks were held with his agent, Alessandro Lucci. At the time, Atalanta placed a €25 million valuation on the youngster — steep then, but possibly a bargain now given his excellent first half of the season.
Atalanta’s Position and the Competition
That price could rise significantly in the coming months. National team coach Rino Gattuso is said to be considering calling Palestra up for Italy’s March play-offs, which would only boost attention around the young full-back. For this reason, Atalanta remain patient and are deferring any negotiations until summer, fully aware that a bidding war could erupt.
Palestra’s consistency with Cagliari — where he starts regularly and continues to develop sharply — has drawn the gaze of several top clubs, including Napoli, Inter, and a few Premier League sides. A January move, however, appears unlikely. Despite Cagliari president Tommaso Giulini’s attempts to include a purchase option in the deal, Atalanta have so far refused all conditions except a straight loan, determined to keep control of the player’s future.
The “Kulusevski Effect”
Juventus might consider repeating the strategy they used with another Atalanta gem, Dejan Kulusevski, whom they secured in January 2020 while he was still on loan at Parma. The club moved early to beat Inter to his signature, allowing him to finish the season elsewhere before joining the Bianconeri in the summer. A similar approach could now be on the table for Palestra.
Other Scouting Targets
The same Juventus scout who watched Cagliari–Roma also took the opportunity to evaluate Elia Caprile, the young goalkeeper whose rapid rise continues to attract top-level interest. Juventus are keeping tabs on him with a view to next summer’s market, as the search for future competition in goal remains a priority.
Meanwhile, Adam Marusic has emerged as an unexpected option. The Lazio full-back is nearing the end of his contract, and negotiations with president Claudio Lotito for a renewal have stalled. The Serbian defender is seeking a three-year deal, prompting his agents to test the waters with other clubs — Juventus among them. Depending on how discussions progress, he could become a free-transfer target for June.
What’s clear is that Juventus are quietly, but purposefully, working on reinforcing every department — combining foresight, youth scouting, and pragmatic experience as Spalletti’s project begins to take shape for the future.
