Juventus tested the waters for Mertens, but the striker isn’t keen on joining, and the Bianconeri are looking more at offensive targets like Filip Kostic.

Juventus Closing In On Frankfurt Star Filip Kostic

Juventus have reportedly reignited their pursuit of in-demand Eintracht Frankfurt star Filip Kostic to reinforce the left-hand side. As per Calciomercato, the record-time Serie A champions are hopeful of driving the winger’s price tag down in the coming days to close the deal.

Juventus and Kostic already have a ‘verbal agreement’ in place, with the 29-year-old ‘assist specialist’ prioritising a move to Turin. The Serbia international already gave his go-ahead to the Bianconeri, agreeing on a €3.5m-a-year wage package earlier in the summer.

Though Juventus have already prepared a three-year contract for Kostic, they have yet to convince Frankfurt to sanction a move. The Germans have placed a €20m price tag on their prized asset and are reluctant to budge on their price.

Meanwhile, Juventus would like to splash out lower figures and have Kostic’s consent to back their claims. Head coach Massimiliano Allegri is keen to have the left-footed winger at the Allianz Stadium by Wednesday.

With several key first-team members ruled out to injuries, the Italian manager finds himself strapped for options ahead of the upcoming 2022/23 Serie A curtain-raiser against Sassuolo. Therefore, he wants Kostic to arrive as soon as possible.

After his busted attempt to force his way to Lazio last summer, the former Hamburger SV man could finally move to Italy this time around. He made Oliver Glasner’s starting XI on Friday as Frankfurt succumbed to an embarrassing 6-1 loss to Bayern Munich in their Bundesliga opener.

That could have been Kostic’s last game in Germany, with Juventus looking to get the deal over the line in the coming days. To aid the Italians’ bid to take him to Serie A, the Serb has already turned down an offer from West ham United.

All signs are pointing in one direction.