Over the past couple of years a number of potential business opportunities have fallen by the wayside between the two clubs. There was the case of Kingsley Coman, who moved to Turin on a free-transfer before Juve sold him on to Bayern Munich. This then led to the Parisians blocking the arrival of Adrien Rabiot when a move to Serie A looked certain. Juve have also never really given up the chase for Edinson Cavani but PSG have refused to enter into any conversations about the Uruguayan frontman. Last spring there was the case of Jonathan Ikone, the 18-year-old midfielder who was tracked by Marotta and Paratici as his contract came to a close; not wanting a repeat of the Coman affair, PSG then tied him down to a new deal to prevent any such repeat.  

So what about Blaise Matuidi? Last summer, a move to Juve looked a certainty at one stage but then PSG owner Khelaifa suddenly intervened in what looked like another revenge mission. In reality however, the club from the capital just didn’t want to sell who they see as a key component in the make-up of the squad. Juventus now wait for January to perhaps make another advance but the player’s future looks increasingly like it will be with PSG and there is now talk of a contract extension. Juve have Witsel and Bentancur standing-by, Khelaifa looks to have won another victory against the Serie A champions.

By Fabrizio Romano. Adapted & translated by Steve Mitchell