This article is the second article focusing on transfer news and rumours coming out of Serie A. Juventus and Roma have both made signings and after yesterdays article, Joshua Zirkzee has now been confirmed by Fabrizio Romano to be moving to Manchester United.

The Old Lady is in her stride in the transfer market

In the last two days, Juventus announced the signing of Khepren Thuram from OGC Nice for a reported €20 million. This signing coincides with the announcement that Adrien Rabiot will not be staying at Juventus for the 24/25 season. The young Frenchman is following in his father Lilian Thuram’s footsteps, who played 204 times for Juventus and 228 times for Parma. Thuram’s brother Marcus has also just finished an excellent first season in Italy at Inter Milan.

With the departure of Rabiot and most likely McKennie, Thuram is the first midfield replacement signed by Motta. As the graph below suggests, Thuram will offer more going forward, with better ball-carrying and forward-passing attributes than the two players set to leave. At 23, Thuram is still young and will look to develop under Motta who has developed young stars at Bologna such as Zirkzee and Calafiori.

Thuram can operate as a 6 or as an 8 and will likely have someone next to him to win duels and break up play. Locatelli, Fagioli, or the potential arrival of Koopmeiners could all be utilised alongside Thuram. Despite being 6ft 4, Thuram’s ball-carrying and driving abilities, as well as his good feet, have been likened to the great Yaya Toure by the Coaches’ Voice. Thuram is clearly a strong first signing in the new Juventus regime under Thiago Motta.

As mentioned above, Koopmeiners is a potential arrival for Thiago Motta. Fabrizio Romano has reported that Koopmeiners is waiting for Juventus and their offers to Atalanta. This comes as Juventus looks to add Koopmeiners to strengthen a midfield that failed to impress last season. Koopmeiners can offer a lot; his notable skills include breaking up play and operating as a 6. He is also technically superb, providing a goal threat further up the pitch with 12 goals and 5 assists in Serie A.

With Koopmeiners set to leave Atalanta, whether it be to Juventus or another side, with Liverpool reportedly keen, Atalanta have submitted a bid for Celtic’s Matt O’Riley. This offer has been rejected, according to Sky Sports News. The fee Atalanta offered was reportedly €15 million, not enough to match Celtic’s valuation of €30/€40 million. The playmaker has had an excellent season for Celtic and has caught the eye of Premier League sides and other European clubs. The Dane was a surprise omission from the Euro 2024 squad after two excellent seasons in Scotland. Atalanta is clearly looking for a replacement for Teun Koopmeiners, furthering the idea that he is on his way to Juventus.

Juventus have also been linked with three other players: Jadon Sancho, João Cancelo, and Jean-Clair Todibo. Sancho, following an excellent return to Dortmund, has rejoined parent club Manchester United. Juventus have been heavily linked with the Englishman, who is set for a move away from Old Trafford. With Chiesa looking set to leave Juventus, Motta will be looking to reinforce his wide options. Motta will undoubtedly want some more experience to complement two promising attackers in Matías Soulé and Kenan Yildiz.

Sancho would provide that with 118 Bundesliga appearances, 58 Premier League appearances, and 35 Champions League appearances. Sancho is also a player from whom Soulé could learn. As the graph above shows, they are quite similar players. Both lack raw driving pace and instead rely on technical ability and skill to beat their man. Sancho is a player that would suit the pace of Serie A. If they can make a loan deal work, Juventus will be getting a very talented player, even if it didn’t work out at United.

Cancelo has also been linked with Juventus as he finishes a loan spell at Barcelona. Juventus fans will be familiar with the Portuguese fullback, who played 34 times for Juventus in the 2018-19 season before moving to Manchester City. After multiple excellent seasons with the Cityzens, he was established as one of the best attacking fullbacks in the world, capable of playing on both the left and right. Since then, Cancelo has had loan spells with Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Cancelo now looks set to leave the Etihad, and a return to Juventus is on the cards. No bids have been reported yet, as Cancelo has only just finished his Euro 2024 campaign.

Jean-Clair Todibo is now strongly linked with Juventus after Manchester United pulled out of the race and West Ham had a bid rejected. Juventus are now in the running, with Fabrizio Romano stating that Todibo is on Motta’s shortlist. The young center back has received plaudits across Europe, and a new center back is much needed to reinforce a poor Juventus backline.

De Rossi’s first summer signing for the Giallorossi

Enzo Le Fée, a 24-year-old French midfielder from Rennes, has officially joined Roma. Le Fée, a proficient set-piece taker, rose through Lorient’s youth academy and played for France at the U20 and U21 levels. According to reports, the estimated price tag is €23 million, and a long-term contract is anticipated.