Giovanni Carnevali, the new Juventus CEO, wants to bring in more Italian players moving forward, with two Liverpool stars said to be targets for him this summer
11:54, 13 Jun 2026
Giovanni Carnevali is the new Juventus CEO.
Giovanni Carnevali is the new Juventus CEO.(Image: Sportinfoto/DeFodi via Getty Images)
New Juventus chief Giovanni Carnevali wants to implement a more homegrown approach to the transfer market in Turin this summer, and he is eyeing up several targets for the Serie A giant with that strategy in mind.
Among them are Liverpool duo Federico Chiesa and Giovanni Leoni, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. Fiorentina’s Cher Ndour and Sassuolo’s Domenico Berardi are other players being considered.
Chiesa could well depart after two years in which he has made little in the way of a sustained impact. Leoni, however, has only played so little because of injury — there is no chance he is going anywhere.
Carnevali takes over from the former Liverpool director Damien Comolli, who resigned earlier this week.
It is reported in Italy that the failed move for Alisson Becker, the Reds goalkeeper, proved costly for the Frenchman, whose relationship with head coach Luciano Spalletti was "undermined".
Chiesa has barely featured since arriving from Juventus in 2024. The Liverpool winger has been linked with a return to Italy with various clubs, most recently including Como.
Federico Chiesa during a Liverpool training session.
Federico Chiesa during a Liverpool training session.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
"I started well, with minutes and goals, and I was happy," Chiesa told Gazzetta dello Sport last week. "Then the year ended differently than I expected. But that's football.
"The playing time (is what went wrong). I've played very little since the start of 2026. I have a great relationship with Liverpool.
"In January, the club and Slot told me I couldn't leave; they needed me, partly for numerical reasons. We were in a tight spot.
"I understood the situation and I was left smiling. Liverpool is always talked about; last year, they helped me win the Premier League.
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"I want to get back to being a key player (for Italy), but to do that I need to play more than a thousand minutes a season for my club. Playing so little, I won't get anywhere."
Leoni, meanwhile, is hoping to return from a long-term issue ahead of next season. The teenage center-back picked up an ACL injury while making his Liverpool debut against Southampton in the League Cup.
Liverpool.com says: Chiesa going back to Serie A makes sense, but the Reds need to ensure they have enough attacking options next term. As for Leoni, he is a huge part of the future and he could make a big impact when he returns from injury.