The catch when it comes to Juventus’ negotiations with Atlético Madrid for Jonathan David is that the Bianconeri first need to secure a replacement for the Canadian striker before they see him off on a loan deal to Spain.
Two options to become said replacement have seemingly emerged from the Premier League.
According to both Matteo Moretto and Sky Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio on Sunday night, Newcastle’s Nick Woltemade and Manchester United’s Joshua Zirkzee are the two names being discussed right now
as players to replace David if he were to head to Atlético Madrid before the end of the summer transfer window. Moretto says that Juventus have been in recent contact with Newcastle regarding the big German forward who arrived from Stuttgart last summer. Zirkzee, meanwhile, is still at Manchester United following a few days of heavy rumors linking him with a move to Fiorentina with Moise Kean being Como-bound.
Every indication is that Juve would sign either player on loan with an option to buy. (Because, you know, money is quite tight these days and that is pretty much all that they can do in this current market.)
The two profiles are very much different ones. Woltemade stands 6-foot-6 and has the versatility to play both up front or in more of a supporting role. He would be the latest player to be part of the exodus of expensive talent at Newcastle this summer, with the club reportedly being open to seeing him leave on loan this summer. We know what Zirkzee — who is very much not the big presence height-wise compared to Woltemade — brings to the table considering his time with Thiago Motta and Bologna three years ago, with his experience in Serie A being the one thing that he does have over the big German forward.
Does either one truly fit the kind of profile that Luciano Spalletti has been searching for to go with Randal Kolo Muani up front? It’s hard to say that it’s 100%, but it definitely gives you pause. Both of them definitely feel like they’re more players along the lines of David compared to a bruiser in the box like Alexander Sørloth could be.
But the dominoes appear to be lining up and securing a replacement for David looks to be the thing that will kick things into gear. Once the Canadian one falls, you feel like the rest will soon follow. At least we hope so.
