Carnevali details Juventus strategy to rebuild Italian core
Only one Juventus player features in Roberto Mancini’s squad selections, highlighting a stark demographic shift that CEO Giovanni Carnevali aims to reverse through targeted recruitment across upcoming transfer windows. With Guglielmo Vicario currently holding the sole representation among the Azzurri ranks while on loan from Tottenham, club leadership has outlined a blueprint to inject Italian talent back into the Continassa dressing room by 2027.
In this precise historical phase, Guglielmo Vicario stands as the only Bianconeri footballer available to Roberto Mancini’s national team, operating as the third choice Azzurro goalkeeper. Net of injuries and certain players needing to rediscover adequate physical condition, such low Juventus presence has practically never been seen in Italian football, having lost the historical backbone that for years made Juventus one of the primary reservoirs for national team call-ups.
Carnevali outlines strategy at Festival dello Sport
Speaking at the Festival dello Sport in Trento, Carnevali addressed the club’s current squad composition following an initial summer transfer window dominated by foreign arrivals. Out of nine new first-team additions brought in under Carnevali and technical director Frederic Massara, only Vicario and forward Jeff Ekhator possessed Italian passports. Carnevali acknowledged the financial and regulatory ease of acquiring players from international markets, yet emphasized a clear institutional desire to restore the club’s traditional national identity.
“We know very well that the international market is wide open, and sometimes regulations help you more,” Carnevali said. While recognizing that signing top-tier Italian talent presents distinct challenges, the CEO confirmed plans to target promising young prospects who can grow within the squad over the coming seasons.
A Juventus featuring ten outfield players hailing from all corners of the world and solely Guglielmo Vicario between the posts must no longer be seen in 2027, as those at the Continassa are fully aware while working to identify and enlist potential heirs to add alongside Manuel Locatelli and his teammates primarily between January 2027 and June.
Frosinone goalkeeper Palmisani emerges as primary target
Among the primary objectives identified for the upcoming transfer cycles is Frosinone goalkeeper Lorenzo Palmisani, who recently signed a contract extension through 2031. Palmisani is valued between 15 and 20 million euros, though formal talks with Frosinone have not yet commenced. Carnevali praised the young keeper during his Trento appearance, stating that securing a player of Palmisani’s profile is vital for expanding the club’s domestic contingent.
At the same time, the current primary option between the posts, Guglielmo Vicario, has exceeded expectations since arriving on loan. The 29-year-old Friulian goalkeeper has established himself as a dressing room leader and expressed a strong desire to make his stay in Turin permanent, presenting a complex evaluation for management regarding future goalkeeping investments. Vicario is not even technically the property of the Bianconeri club, arriving on loan from Tottenham with a buy option fluctuating between 10 and 12 million euros.
Juventus monitors young Italian defenders abroad
Beyond the goalkeeping department, Juventus scouts are actively monitoring young Italian defenders abroad. The club maintains close watch over 19-year-old Liverpool central defender Giovanni Leoni, a former Parma player recovering from a knee injury, alongside Brentford full-back Michael Kayode. While targets like Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori and Marco Palestra remain financially out of reach, the club intends to track Leoni’s progress through the season.
More than Riccardo Calafiori of Arsenal and Marco Palestra of Arsenal, who are now unreachable for status and costs, the Bianconeri are ready to “mark” Giovanni Leoni somewhat like Fabio Cannavaro during the 2006 World Cup. Alessandro Romano, whom technical director Massara knows very well, sits at the top of the wish list as some investments could be made in light of the impending 250 million euro capital increase.
Domestically, the club is also evaluating Fiorentina midfielder Cher Ndour, a 22-year-old under-21 international, alongside internal academy prospects such as 17-year-old midfielder Destiny Elimoghale and 18-year-old defender Benit Borasio. The “azzurra” idea leading to Florence and Cher Ndour involves a 22-year-old globetrotting midfielder of the Viola who grew up with the idol of Paul Pogba.
Jeff Ekhator targets return in late October
Immediate tactical reinforcements depend heavily on player fitness, particularly regarding forward Jeff Ekhator. The former Genoa attacker has missed the majority of the early season due to injury. Ekhator completed a specialized training session with the ball on a secondary pitch at the Continassa while his teammates faced Cremonese in a friendly, with a target return between late October and early November. Jeff Ekhator is also awaited by Luciano Spalletti, with the Bianconeri coach practically never able to count on the former Genoa striker in this early season while awaiting his recovery.
