Juve, Comolli's list for the midfield: the latest idea is Xhaka, then Bissouma and...

Juventus wants to rebuild the engine of Igor Tudor's team and is looking at Bayer Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka, who was already in Milan's sights in recent weeks. The midfield revolution of a year ago wasn't enough and Continassa are ready to take cover. At least one move, maybe two if the Bianconeri are able to make the most of Douglas Luiz's farewell, who was on the sidelines first with Thiago Motta and then with his Croatian successor. On the one hand, Damien Comolli is looking for a team with the Brazilian - the French manager spoke about it with the agent of the former Aston Villa player during last week's meeting in Miami - but on the other, he is moving on several fronts in search of a midfielder who can raise the level of the department by adding to the untouchable Khephren Thuram, captain Manuel Locatelli and the all-rounder Weston McKennie. Tudor's priority is a versatile, dynamic midfielder who is skilled in both phases. The Lady's dream remains Newcastle's Sandro Tonali. The road to the Azzurri, however, seems a little more uphill every day. The English won't open the door for less than 60-70 million and it's not certain that a super offer will be enough. Thus, next to the other Azzurri target - Inter's Davide Frattesi - new leads are emerging. The latest clues point to Xhaka, an experienced midfielder (32 years old) and internationally renowned. In his career he has lifted trophies with Basel, Arsenal and above all with Bayer Leverkusen: the Swiss was one of the leaders of the historic Bundesliga won by the then team coached by Xabi Alonso in 2023.

José Mourinho wanted Xhaka when he was at Roma, Igli Tare dealt with him in his first months as sporting director of Milan. Now Juventus is thinking about it, provided they can find a place for Douglas Luiz. Xhaka would not be an investment for the future, but the classic player capable of improving those around him and consequently the team. In Leverkusen he is not untouchable and the player, having closed the splendid chapter with Xabi Alonso, would be intrigued by a new adventure. To all these reasons, there is also the economic one: 12-15 million could be enough to convince Bayer to sell the former Basel player.

Xhaka is a new target, but not the only one obviously. Comolli is currently moving on multiple fronts to identify the best opportunity. At the top of the French manager's list, in addition to the more expensive Morten Hjulmand of Sporting (formerly Lecce), there are always Florentino of Benfica and Yves Bissouma of Tottenham. Comolli worked at Spurs and over the years has maintained a good feeling with the English top brass. Relationships that could facilitate the Bissouma deal. The 28-year-old Malian's contract expires in 2026 and Tottenham have entered the mindset of selling the former Brighton player. The valuation fluctuates between 15 and 20 million. A compromise does not seem impossible. Comolli appreciates Bissouma and is evaluating the pros and cons of the operation. If the discussions continue it is above all because the Malian is a non-EU player. Juventus has already allocated a non-EU slot to Jonathan David, a luxury free agent and the first signing of the new Comolli-Chiellini era. The idea of ​​occupying the second slot with Bissouma is a possibility. But at the beginning of July - and with the need to restructure other departments as well - Continassa wants to think carefully so as not to preclude other "non-EU" opportunities in attack or defense. However, this would not be the case for Jadon Sancho, who continues to send signals to the Lady. The former Borussia Dortmund player would be reserved the place dedicated to the first English purchase and not the non-EU one. The former Chelsea player has returned to Manchester United, but not to stay. So much so that the Red Devils have restarted the season and Sancho's holidays have been extended. Juventus continues to negotiate to lower the economic demands of Manchester United and the boy's entourage.