Juventus are actively seeking defensive reinforcements for the January transfer window. Injuries to key players Bremer and Cabal have forced Cristiano Giuntoli to re-enter the market, aiming to provide coach Thiago Motta with at least one, if not two, new defenders.
Calciomercato [**report**](https://www.calciomercato.com/news/juventus-hancko-preferito-a-skriniar-le-ultime-36986) that while young Portuguese talent Antonio Silva from Benfica remains on the radar, a familiar face from Italian Serie A has caught the attention of Juventus: 27-year-old Slovakian defender David Hancko, who just celebrated his birthday.
Hancko’s journey in Italian football began when Fiorentina acquired him from MSK Zilina for €3.8 million in the summer of 2018. After a year, he was loaned to Sparta Prague for two seasons before being sold permanently to the Czech club for €2.5 million. In the summer of 2022, Sparta Prague then sold him to Feyenoord for €8.3 million, where he is currently under contract until June 2028.
Feyenoord now values Hancko at a minimum of €30 million, having already rebuffed an approach from Atletico Madrid last summer. Juventus prefers Hancko over his compatriot Milan Skriniar for several reasons. Hancko is two years younger and commands a significantly lower salary compared to the former Inter player, who earns nearly €10 million net per year including bonuses at Paris Saint-Germain.
Another advantage Hancko brings is his versatility. In addition to his primary role as a centre-back, he can also operate effectively on the left side of defence, providing Juventus with valuable tactical flexibility.