Juventus market, for the post Di Gregorio takes hold of a world champion
Juventus soccer market: the daisy wheel is being turned to identify Michele Di Gregorio’s heir. And among the goalkeepers the Juventus management has put in its notebook is a world champion, although the chances of winning him are conditional on overcoming some problems. Alternatively, however, there is always the Gugliermo Vicario option on the horizon.
The goalkeeper currently at Tottenham, however, seems meanwhile to have become an alternative (albeit a luxury one). In fact, in Juventus’ hierarchies, even before Vicario is Emiliano Martinez: the experienced ‘Dibu’ who became a world phenomenon in 2022 when he graduated as world champion in a starring role with the jersey of his Argentina team. At Aston Villa since 2020 after a career almost entirely spent in England, according to ‘Sky Sport’ he would now like to indulge in an adventure in another European country. Perhaps Italy, with the Bianconeri, however, who would have to come to terms with the high compensation received in Birmingham by the 33-year-old from Mar del Plata. Decisive, in the case, would be his willingness to actually move to Turin.
Complicating the picture even further is Martinez’s just-completed season, which he experienced an absolute standout finish. The Argentine goalkeeper lifted the Europa League to the sky with Aston Villa, which overwhelmed Freiburg 3-0 in the Istanbul final last May 20, giving Unai Emery his fifth personal triumph in the competition. It was a historic success for the Birmingham club, which returned to lift a European trophy after more than four decades, since the unforgettable Champions Cup of 1982. A further embellished palmares, then, for ‘Dibu’, who played the final as a starter despite a physical problem suffered during the warm-up.
It is precisely this European consecration that could make the negotiation for Juventus even more complicated. Aston Villa, fresh off an extraordinary season that ended in fourth place in the Premier League resulting in Champions League qualification, is unlikely to let its starting goalkeeper leave on favorable terms. The Juventus club, on the other hand, is evaluating several options for the goal: before Martinez and Vicario, the management’s first choice was Alisson Becker, but the operation has become complicated in the last few days, with Liverpool not intending to give up the Brazilian without a significant compensation.
The alternatives monitored by Juventus also include Elia Caprile, goalkeeper of Cagliari author of an excellent season. Rossoblù president Tommaso Giulini has already put his hands up, warning that major offers will arrive for his jewels, but that the club will try not to dismantle the squad. Also of note is the profile of Alexander Nubel: the German goalkeeper owned by Bayern Munich, currently at Stuttgart, would have been included in Comolli and Ottolini’s notebook thanks to a valuation considered affordable, around 15 million euros, although there would also be interest in him from Manchester City.
As for Vicario, Inter had moved decisively in recent weeks – Piero Ausilio had been spotted in the stands of Tottenham to follow the Italian goalkeeper closely – but in the end the Nerazzurri seem to be oriented on other profiles, potentially leaving the field open to Juventus. The Bianconeri club, in short, is clear on its priorities: first the attempt for Martinez, then, should the economic distances prove insurmountable, the lunge for Vicario. The hunt for Di Gregorio’s heir is officially open.
