Juventus have drawn a clear line under their attacking priorities for the new season: they want a physical centre-forward, and they want him now.
Luciano Spalletti is pushing for a more direct presence up front, a striker who can occupy defenders, attack crosses and give the Bianconeri a different route to goal when the passing patterns stall. The profile is specific, and that has sent sporting director Frederic Massara deep into the Premier League market.
Joshua Zirkzee has been discussed, but Juventus are casting the net wider in England, convinced that the right blend of physique and mobility is there to be found. The search is not about volume. It is about fit.
Mateta Back on the Radar
Out of that trawl, one name has surged back into focus.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has re-emerged as a major target after offering his services to the Turin club. Under contract at Selhurst Park until June 2027, the Frenchman is weighing his future after the managerial change in south London and is open to a new challenge.
For Juventus, Mateta ticks several boxes: Premier League experience, size, penalty-box instincts and a contract situation that could be negotiated if all parties align. For the player, the lure of leading the line for one of Italy’s giants is obvious.
Juventus are not rushing, but they are watching him closely. Mateta is no longer just a name on a long list. He is a live option.
Young Forwards on the Watchlist
Mateta is not alone in the frame.
The club have also been tracking a cluster of young European forwards as they look to deepen the squad and give Spalletti more variety in attack. Nottingham Forest’s Arnaud Kalimuendo and Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade are both on the radar, their potential recognised not only in Turin but also by other top clubs, including Napoli.
These are players for today and tomorrow, forwards who could grow into major roles rather than demand instant star billing. That appeal is strong in a squad that needs both impact and evolution.
Yet every name comes with the same caveat: numbers. Squad slots and balance sheets matter. Massara’s work is as much about subtraction as addition.
Outgoings Will Decide the Window
Before Juventus can move decisively for any of these targets, one issue stands in the way: exits.
The departure of Canadian forward Jonathan David is viewed as essential to unlock the next phase of business. His exit would free up both space in the attacking department and the financial room needed to push ahead with a new signing.
Until that piece falls into place, Juventus remain in a holding pattern. The plans are drawn, the targets identified, the conversations ongoing. But the trigger stays untouched.
The window is sliding towards its decisive days. Juventus know exactly what they want up front. The question now is whether they can clear the path in time to land the striker who changes the shape of their season.
