Considering the truth that two of Juventus’ most gifted midfielders are prolonged suspensions proper within the face, there’s very a lot a necessity for a brand new face or two to reach throughout the January switch window. With how Juventus’ present funds are and the way there is no such thing as a European earnings coming on this season, spending huge come the primary month of 2024 doesn’t appear to be it may be within the playing cards.

But necessity may take priority over cash-strapped cash state of affairs.

So who might it’s?

According to Italian switch reporter Nicolo Schira, it might a participant who Juve may not have anticipated to nonetheless doubtlessly be accessible a few months in the past. That’s as a result of Udinese midfielder Lazar Samardzic appeared all set to maneuver to the narazzurro facet of the San Siro earlier than issues with Inter fell aside and he remained together with his present crew via the ultimate days of the summer time switch window. That means the 21-year-old Serb — who was a goal of recent Bianconeri sporting chief Cristiano Giuntoli — continues to be accessible for the suitable worth, with Juve stated to be “monitoring” the state of affairs prematurely of a possible transfer come the January switch window.

Schira says that no talks or potential negotiations have taken place so far, whereas Juventus might present Samardzic with a critical pay increase — going from €425,000 with Udinese to 3 instances that if he had been to maneuver to Turin in a few months.

Samardzic, who just lately stated that he nonetheless very a lot desires to maneuver to an enormous membership as quickly as potential, appeared all set to affix Inter throughout the summer time switch window. That deal, nevertheless, by no means received throughout the end line, with surprising monetary calls for from the participant’s entourage inflicting the deal to stall out on the eleventh hour. Inter CEO Beppe Marotta blames “a breakdown in communication” between the 2 sides for the deal falling via in mid-August.

There has not been a lot speak of Inter going again in for Samardzic, probably the greatest younger midfielders in Serie A for the time being. And due to that, it could possibly be the opening that Juventus must convey some much-needed oomph to a place group that has been very up and down up to now this season. (That was additionally the case earlier than Paul Pogba popped a failed doping take a look at and Nicolo Fagioli’s playing points got here to gentle.)

A possible stumbling block in Juventus’ pursuit of Samardzic in addition to the monetary side of the deal might merely be Udinese’s standing in Serie A heading into the brand new 12 months. As of now, Udinese sits simply exterior of the relegation zone, a degree forward of 18th-place Empoli. They’ve scored simply 4 objectives via their first eight video games — Samardzic has two of them — and promoting their greatest participant up to now this season could possibly be a serious blow to their prospects of staying in Serie A past the spring.