Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli was spotted in the stands of the recent Champions League fixture between Real Sociedad and PSG to scout a few players, in particular Mikel Merino. The Bianconeri aim to bolster their midfield, but their top targets are pricey.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Old Lady has been keeping tabs on the Spanish maestro. He logged 6 goals and 5 assists in 36 appearances this campaign. His contract is up in 2025. He won’t be super cheap next summer, but he won’t be as expensive as Teun Koopmeiners, for instance.
Given his traits and physique, Juventus might see Merino as a potential replacement for Adrien Rabiot, whose deal is up in June. They are hopeful he stays, but they are still in the dark regarding his intentions.
In addition to the midfielder, Giuntoli took a close look at Robin Le Normand, Calciomercato informs. He was one of Napoli’s candidates to substitute Kim Min-Jae and was in their crosshairs when the exec was there. However, he has a €50M release clause and is unlikely to be sold for lower than that.
Our Take on Juventus and Merino
The Bianconeri are in a precarious spot in the midfield since they need multiple pieces but don’t have a very large budget. Any quality reinforcement that wouldn’t break the bank is welcomed. They’ll be in trouble if Rabiot departs. Finding a player of a similar caliber will be expensive. That’s why they might make an effort to satisfy his wage request, even if bulky.
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