It’s been almost a month since Cristiano Giuntoli left Napoli to assume control of transfer dealings at Juventus, but he has nothing to show for it yet.
Apart from Timothy Weah’s arrival from Lille in the early summer days, the record-time Serie A champions have mostly been spectators in the transfer window.
But after watching AC Milan and Inter Milan strengthen their squads, Giuntoli doesn’t want to waste more time on the sidelines as he looks to get down to work.
With Juventus currently in the United States for a pre-season tour, their new CEO is ready to return to Europe after Wednesday night’s friendly against the Rossoneri.
According to Calciomercato, Giuntoli will jet off to London to close the deal for Chelsea outcast Romelu Lukaku, but another Belgian could board a plane to Italy.
Leicester City full-back Timothy Castagne has been on the Italian’s radar since Juan Cuadrado announced his decision to end a long-term association with the Allianz Stadium outfit.
Although Weah remains a plausible solution to replace the Colombian veteran on the right flank, he is not a natural right-back, hence Bianconeri’s interest in the ex-Atalanta defender.
Juventus are keen to take advantage of Leicester’s relegation from the Premier League to sign the 27-year-old on favourable terms after their pursuit of Spezia’s Emil Holm hit a standstill.
Castagne has another two years left to run on his contract at the King Power Stadium, but the Foxes’ fall from grace could accelerate his return to Serie A.
Lukaku’s future also seems to be in Italy, even though Inter backed out of the deal, frustrated with the striker’s behaviour during their effort to take him away from Chelsea.
Inter’s withdrawal from the race puts Juventus in a perfect position to negotiate the 30-year-old’s Serie A comeback, aware of the player’s reluctance to move to Saudi Arabia.
Known for their careful market movements, the Turin giants are keen to drive Lukaku’s price down, knowing Chelsea, pressured by the clock, will have to soften their stance.
