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Real Madrid are set to exercise their buy-back option for the Spaniard, so the Bianconeri are looking at top strikers, as well as a replacement for the injured Claudio Marchisio.
"Next season, we want to have a great Champions League campaign." Massimiliano Allegri is not even trying to hide it anymore. After leading Juventus to a second successiveScudetto, and their fifth in a row in total, the Bianconeri boss knows that his responsibility now is to translate domestic dominance into European success. With that in mind, this summer's transfer strategy will prioritise quality over quantity. There will be no dramatic overhaul of the squad this time around, only a determination to sign the two or three players required to turn an already strong side into Champions League contenders.
In Corso Galileo Ferraris, where there is total harmony between the directors and the coach, the goal is to increase the competition for places in Allegri's starting line-up. The Old Lady wants signings capable of going straight into the first team and is particularly keen on strengthening the midfield. So, even while the Scudetto was only sealed on Monday, CEO Beppe Marotta and sporting director Fabio Paratici have already been plotting their next moves.
While their hopes of signing Ilkay Gundogan have all but disappeared, with the Borussia Dortmund midfielder set to become one of Pep Guardiola's first signings when he takes the reins at Manchester City, Juve remain optimistic about their chances of landing Valencia's Andre Gomez. Indeed, the Bianconeri have already discussed a potential deal with the Portuguese ace's agent, Jorge Mendes, though he is reluctant to commit to any deal before Jose Mourinho's potential appointment at Manchester United. Still, Juve are very keen on signing a versatile performer comfortable in several different systems. Their need is certainly more pressing now that Claudio Marchisio will miss the start of next season as he recovers from knee ligament damage and, given the complicated nature of their early talks with Mendes, Juve are also weighing up potential bids for Lazio's Lucas Biglia, Fernando of Sampdoria and Yaya Toure, who is almost certain to leave City this summer.
Elsewhere, Antonio Conte is calling and Juan Cuadrado is likely to respond. With the former Juventus boss having been entrusted with the responsibility of getting Chelsea back on track, it now seems likely that Cuadrado will be persuaded to try his luck in London again. The Colombia international disappointed terribly after joining the Blues from Fiorentina in January 2015 but Conte is a huge admirer of the winger and is willing to block Juve's efforts to make his loan stay in Turin permanent. As a result, Juve have been forced to consider their options and are now looking at another Valencia star in the shape of Joao Cancelo. As a pacy right winger, the 21-year-old fits the bill in terms of technical and tactical requirements but the Italian champions are well aware that the asking price could be prohibitive, while there is also the fact that several other top clubs are monitoring Cancelo.
Sassuolo's Sime Vrsaljko and Udinese' Widmer are both being tracked and Juve enjoy a good working relationship with the former's employers. AC Milan's Mattia De Sciglio also continues to be of interest, although the full-back would not be totally enamoured with the idea of working with Allegri again.
Of course, nothing can be taken for granted when it comes to the transfer market but it does seem likely that this summer will finally see the arrival of Domenico Berardi at Vinovo. Juve are willing to give Sassuolo €25 million for the technically gifted forward who would slot perfectly into the 4-3-3 formation yet could also shine as a second striker.
However, what the Bianconeri do from an attacking perspective could all hinge on Alvaro Morata, with Real Madrid keen to exercise their buy-back option for the Spain international. Although the 23-year-old has not scored freely in Serie A, he has consistently shone on the Champions League stage and Juve have no doubts about his ability or his potential for further improvement. As a result, they will do everything they can to retain Morata's services. If he returns to the Santiago Bernabeu, though, the club will target a high-profile replacement and Edinson Cavani remains the dream signing. The Old Lady has courted the Uruguayan since his time at Napoli and Marotta and Paratici have already discussed the possibility of finally getting their man this summer.
Such an arrival would obviously cast doubt over the futures of striding duo Simone Zaza and Mario Mandzukic. Zaza, in particular, would like to see more game time in Turin but Juve are not inclined to let him leave, so such so that they have already rejected an approach from Crystal Palace for the former Sassuolo man.
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