Tiago Djalo has sealed a bargain £3 million move to Juventus with the Serie A giants fighting off competition from Premier League outfits Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa and Wolves.
HITC Football understands that that English-based quartet were all in the race to bring Tiago Djalo across the Channel from Lille this month, his contract expiring at the end of the campaign and his price-tag plummeting as a result.
Newcastle had even held talks with Djalo’s camp in recent weeks.
But, after missing out on Radu Dragusin despite also entering discussions with Tottenham’s £26 million January signing, Eddie Howe’s Magpies have seen another central defensive target slip through their fingers with Djalo now officially confirmed as a Juventus player.
Newcastle United miss out on Tiago Djalo
“I am very happy,” explains the 23-year-old former Portugal Under 21 international. “Juve is a great team, of quality and with many talented players. I feel good. It’s a very important day for me.”
Juve took a punt on Djalo despite the fact he is still recovering from anterior cruciate ligament injury which has kept him out of the Lille team for the entirety of the current campaign. Then again, the risk was offset somewhat by his contract situation, the one-time AC Milan man returning to Italy for just £3 million.
“My conditions? I’m ready, my knee is fine,” Djalo confirms, reuniting with his former Lille team-mate Tim Weah in Turin. “It’s about playing and I work hard every day.
“Did I hear from Weah before signing for Juve? Yes, he called me and spoke very well about the team. He helped me and it was important.
“The differences between Ligue 1 and Serie A? I’ve never played here but it’s a quality championship, as it was in France too. Here, it’s more tactical and this can help me.”
Defender swaps Lille for Juventus
Tottenham will not be losing much sleep as Djalo ups sticks and heads for Italy, having already brought in Dragusin from Genoa. Newcastle, meanwhile, could free up some much needed funds before the month is out as the Magpies battle with those Financial Fair Play restrictions.
HITC understands that Kieran Trippier is a target for Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. Miguel Almiron, meanwhile, could follow Allan Saint-Maximin to Saudi Arabia.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
