Juventus are ‘unconvinced’ to accept an opening offer for Rodrigo Bentancur, after Aston Villa submitted their first formal approach for the midfielder’s last-ditch January transfer.
That’s according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who reports the Villans presented the Bianconeri with a €20m (£16.5m) proposal before add-ons. However, the Serie A side have returned the bid to sender as they hold out for a greater guaranteed instalment.
The Allianz Stadium natives are reluctant to accept a low base figure to sell the Uruguayan ahead of Monday’s deadline. Juventus will owe Bentancur’s former side, Boca Juniors, 30% of any profit made through the 24-year-old’s departure from Turin.
Reports by Sky Sports add Aston Villa’s offer to Juventus for Bentancur’s transfer included more than £4m in future bonuses. But the Bianconeri hierarchy responded by demanding at least £21m upfront to entertain negotiations over a late window deal.
Aston Villa close to Bentancur transfer despite Juventus snub
Juventus expected Aston Villa to open discussions by offering €25m (£21m) for Bentancur’s transfer, per TuttoMercatoWEB. The Old Lady were confident the Villans would make their move before the market shuts next week following positive early talks.
But the Birmingham natives are looking to keep their finances in check following an influx of players under Steven Gerrard. The Villans made Arsenal ace Calum Chambers their fourth first-team signing on Thursday after Philippe Coutinho, Lucas Digne and Robin Olsen.
Bentancur may still be Aston Villa’s fifth senior signing of the January transfer window with their valuation close to Juventus’. But the Villa Park hierarchy will likely have to offer the Bianconeri a greater upfront instalment to buy the midfielder.
Gerrard may be the Villans’ secret weapon in transfer talks
Gerrard may also still prove to be Aston Villa’s secret weapon in their pursuit of a transfer for Juventus’ Bentancur. The 45-cap anchor has previously expressed his appreciation of the Villans’ boss as a player from his days with Liverpool.
“When I was little, I was inspired by [Frank] Lampard and Gerrard,” he said, via quotes by Football-Italia in 2019. “Then in the role of regista, I always liked [Sergio] Busquets, what a great player.
“Now, I have the fortune to play with [Miralem] Pjanic, who is incredible. He is a friend who I try to learn something from every day. He told me that I must stay calm, because with my quality and character, I can also play that role.”
Juventus also already have two replacements lined up in case Aston Villa improve their bid for Bentancur’s transfer. The Serie A side admire Borussia Monchengladbach’s summer free agent Denis Zakaria, along with Cagliari’s Nahitan Nandez.
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