Juventus Working to Offload Two Fringe Center-Backs

Juventus will part ways with at least two defenders after nabbing Pierre Kalulu, and Daniele Rugani and Tiago Djaló are very expendable. The veteran extended his contract before the summer, but he’s not in Thiago Motta’s plans, Alfredo Pedullà informs.

The Italian center-back has been linked to a few sides, especially Ajax. They are still in the running, but their board wants to complete a sale before adding. Al Ain have barged into the race and tabled a large offer salary-wise. They proposed a three-year contract with increasing wages that’d start from €3M. They are coached by Hernan Crespo. The center-back is pondering the choice, as he’d have to stay in Saudi Arabia for at least a couple of seasons. Bologna are still lingering.

While Rugani has been made available by Juventus early on, Djaló has been put on the chopping block recently after the new coach took a close look at him in practice and during the friendlies. After the news about Kalulu, he asked out.

He could be part of the talks with Porto, as Juventus are keen on Galeno and Francisco Conceiçao. Other sides could be in the running for the outcast, for instance, Roma, TuttoSport informs. The Old Lady paid €3.5M plus €2.6M potential add-ons and commissions to acquire him from Lille.

The brass is also talking with Wojciech Szczesny about a contract rescission. The goalie might retire.

Our Take on Juventus, Rugani, and Djaló

The former is a victim of the schematic change, but there are worse deputies to keep around. The Portuguese defender, who did look very bad against Numberg, must have really discouraging data in training since two separate coaching staffs pushed him to the side.