Serie A heavyweights Juventus are in the market for a new center-back after losing Gleison Bremer and Juan Cabal to long-term injuries. According to Calciomercato, Benfica starlet Antonio Silva could reinforce Thiago Motta’s defensive options in January.
Despite breaking onto the grandest stage only two years ago, the 21-year-old is already among the most highly-rated defenders in European football. His entourage, Jorge Mendes, has close ties with Juventus and could try to facilitate the Portuguese youngster’s switch to Turin this winter.
Mendes helped Juventus sign Francisco Conceicao on a season-long loan from Porto in the summer. The super-agent could do the same with Silva when the transfer market reopens for business a month from now. Like in Conceicao’s case, he’d try to broker a loan deal with an option/obligation to buy.
However, Juventus would likely need to splash out approximately €30 million to get the deal over the line. Silva’s contract at Estadio da Luz runs out in 2027, which puts Benfica in a strong bargaining position. But with Bremer likely to miss the remainder of the season, theBianconerican’t afford to budge on the price.
In the meantime, Motta wants Juventus to lure his former Bologna associate, Jhon Lucumi, to the Allianz Stadium. The renowned tactician launched the Colombian’s career at Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, turning him into one of Serie A’s most dependable center-backs.
Juventus would need to beat Atletico Madrid to land Lucumi. That’s not a simple task. Therefore, sporting director Cristiano Giuntoliis keeping several avenues open, including the one leading to unsettled Paris Saint-Germain ace Milan Skriniar.
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