Juventus Pursues Premier League Striker as Mateta Eyes Turin Move
Juventus have narrowed their search for a powerful No 9, with the club hierarchy scouring the Premier League for the kind of physical centre-forward Luciano Spalletti wants leading his attack next season.
Calciomercato report that while profiles such as Joshua Zirkzee have attracted interest, the Bianconeri are casting a wider net in England as they look for a striker who can offer presence, depth and more direct threat in the final third. Sport director Frederic Massara is driving the operation, weighing up cost, characteristics and availability as Juventus try to reshape the frontline without losing balance elsewhere in the squad.
Mateta back to the forefront
Into that context steps Jean-Philippe Mateta.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Crystal Palace forward has surged back up Juventus’ list after making it clear he would welcome a move to Turin, effectively offering his services to the club. Under contract at Selhurst Park until June 2027, the Frenchman is understood to be open to a new challenge following the recent managerial change at Palace.
Juventus are tracking his situation closely, seeing him as one of several possible solutions rather than a single, all-in bet. His profile fits the brief: a robust, penalty-box striker accustomed to Premier League intensity, potentially available if Palace decide to reshape their own attack.
Young forwards on the radar
Mateta is not the only name under serious consideration.
The Bianconeri have also kept a close watch on a cluster of emerging European forwards as they look to deepen their attacking options. Among them are Nottingham Forest’s Arnaud Kalimuendo and Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade, both of whom have drawn attention from several major clubs, including Napoli.
These are players for the present and the future, but Juventus cannot move on potential alone. Every step is being measured against strict financial parameters and the realities of squad composition. One extra forward means one fewer slot elsewhere, and Massara’s team are acutely aware that any misstep now could limit their room to manoeuvre later in the window.
Outgoings will decide the outcome
All of this planning hinges on one simple truth: before anyone arrives, someone has to go.
Juventus must first unlock exits to create both budget and space in the dressing room. The departure of Canadian forward Jonathan David is viewed as a key condition before the club can push decisively for a new No 9. Only once that move is resolved can the Bianconeri fully commit to Mateta or any of the other targets on their list.
The clock is ticking on the transfer window. Juventus know the profile they want, they know where they are shopping, and they have candidates lined up. Now the success of their entire attacking rebuild rests on how quickly – and how cleanly – they can clear the path.
