As Inter beat Benfica 1-0 thanks to Marcus Thuram’s solitary goal, Juventus sporting director watched on as a spectator, taking down notes surrounding two of the visiting side’s midfielders. The ex-Napoli executive made the most of the opportunity to scout two of Benfica’s central mids.
As per Tuttomercatoweb, the Bianconeri have long been interested in the profiles of Orkun Kökçü and João Neves, both of who starred against the Nerazzurri in the UEFA Champions League second matchday. The urgency to find a successor to Paul Pogba in the middle of the field has caught the club’s management, but also the fact that Adrien Rabiot will run out of a contract at the end of the season.
Kökçü, the 19-year-old product of the Feyenoord academy, who recently turned starter for Benfica, has been of interest to Giuntoli since the executive’s days at Napoli. However, it will not be easy to lure 22-year-old Kökçü from the Portuguese giants, given his recent signing from The Netherlands. He is contracted until the summer of 2028.
While Kökçü might be achievable, 19-year-old Neves is slightly a tougher prospect to attract, given his rise from the Benfica academy last season. He has already made 30 first-team appearances for Benfica since making his professional debut.
However, neither impressed against Inter, as Benfica were largely outplayed during the contest. However, the Nerazzurri had to dig deep to register their maiden Champions League win this season.
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