EXCLUSIVE ROMANO: Juve, Raiola's ambition for Lukaku & the fury of Matuidi
Super-agent Mino Raiola has now opened a channel with Juventus after concluding the business that took Paul Pogba to Manchester United this summer. The bianconeri executives were impressed by the return he managed to secure for the French midfielder and next summer there is likely to be more negotiations for players from his stable.
LUKAKU:
Next summer, Juventus will undoubtedly go hunting for a new striker, a frontman who possesses huge physical attributes and one who has age on his side. The player whose profile fits the best is Everton marksman Romelu Lukaku. Raiola has already tried to bring the Belgian international to Italy this summer and the bianconeri were known admirers before deciding to splash out on Gonzalo Higuain. The Premier League side wanted €80 million for their 23-year-old and clearly this was a price that Juve were unwilling to pay for a player who still has to prove himself to many people. Raiola will persist however, and in nine months’ time, the track could well be re-opened.
THE FURY OF MATUIDI:
Another summer regret, was the failure to bring Blaise Matuidi to Turin. The 28-year-old French midfielder did everything he could to try to secure a move to Italy but PSG refused to sanction any deal and he stays in the French capital. Rumours are abound that the player is still seething with his current employers despite claiming that he’s fully focused on the job in hand in Paris. There’s still the possibility that it could be destination Turin next year after the bianconeri also failed to land Axel Witsel. Next year however, Matuidi may not find himself the full focus of attention from Juventus.
By Fabrizio Romano. Adapted & translated by Steve Mitchell
By Fabrizio Romano. Adapted & translated by Steve Mitchell