Juventus want a new midfielder with Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips both options but Liverpool ace Thiago Alcantara is likely to be too expensive.
That is according to TuttoJuve.
Talks over a new deal at Liverpool for the silky Spain international have stalled, his current contract expiring in the summer. But while Juventus have quite a habit of signing experienced campaigners on free transfers – see Carlos Tevez, Adrien Rabiot, Paul Pogba and more – Thiago Alcarantara’s wage demands could bring an early end to discussions over a potential switch to Turin.
Thiago Alcantara’s Liverpool future uncertain
Juventus, TuttoJuve add, are willing to hand Thiago a two-year deal. But only on the proviso that he accepts a ‘much lower salary’ than he currently takes home at Anfield, the former Bayern Munich and Barcelona playmaker earning £200,000-a-week in England’s north west (Spotrac).
As such, Max Allegri’s side could step up their pursuit of a potential alternative. Thiago is one of three Premier League-based midfielders linked with a January switch to Turin. Manchester City misfit Kalvin Phillips, Arsenal’s perennially injury-hit Thomas Partey and Tottenham enforcer Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg are all under consideration.
The latter, valued by Spurs at around £25 million, is keen on a move away from North London. A regular under Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte, Hojbjerg has lost his place under Ange Postecoglou, only injuries and suspensions to the likes of Cristian Romero and Yves Bissouma earning him a place back in the Tottenham XI.
Former Juventus and England boss Fabio Capello is a fan of Hojbjerg. But Allegri, he adds, would benefit more from the addition of an attack-minded, creative option in the centre of the park. Sassuolo talisman Domenico Berardi, for instance.
Hojbjerg could leave Tottenham
“I’ve always thought Phillips is a complete midfielder. And the same is true of Hojbjerg,” Capello tells Gazzetta dello Sport.
“However, Berardi is the creative player Allegri is missing. If (your attackers) move well, Domenico will deliver a perfect pass. His passes are quick and dangerous, not slow, and he’d bring added value to Juventus.
“(Berardi) would create an excellent attacking trio with Dusan Vlahovic and Federico Chiesa.”
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