Reports out of Italy this morning claim that Juventus had made a last-minute bid to tempt Roma into selling their talented goalkeeper Milan Svilar. According to Tuttosport the Turin giants, themselves in financial hot water with UEFA, had concocted a plan to lure the Belgian away by offering a sum of money that would massively cut down on the Romans’ own penalties, as they have a €50 million hole to fill in order to get back in the good graces of the governing body. It’s unclear what the full strategy
was if they had succeeded in the attempt, as the sale of their own up and coming keeper, Giovanni Daffara, to Parma was concluded before the books closed on last season in order to account for the €6 million fine that was required to be a part of the 2025-26 year.
Juventus have long been admirers of Svilar’s, but it was always going to be a tough task to bring him on board, considering he was a favourite of Gianpiero Gasperini’s and the white-haired tactician is likely still bitter after the drawn-out Koopmeiners transfer saga. Svilar was a big factor for the Gialorossi’s season, backstopping them to the league’s second-best defense and Champions League qualification with a third-place finish. Indeed, the capital club had already turned down a €60 million offer from Tottenham for his services, preferring the stability he brings at the back for the coming European campaign.
Time will tell who will play between the sticks for Juventus next season, with negotiations for Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez still stalled over a €10 million asking price for the veteran. Villa is supposedly planning a move for Parma’s Zion Suzuki after his impressive World Cup performances for Japan. Meanwhile, Daffara’s sale to Parma, in addition to earning Juve the €6 million needed to pay UEFA’s fine may also cause a domino effect and loosen the English club’s grip on their current number one keeper.
