European giants Juventus are reportedly eyeing a move to take Chelsea midfielder Jorginho to Turin this summer.
The Lowdown: Contract Uncertainty
The future of the midfield maestro – who has been dubbed “ice-cool” by Brazil legend Roberto Carlos – has become something of a hot topic, with his existing contract set to expire in just over 12 months time.
With the Blues currently unable to extend that deal due to the ongoing sanctions impacting the club, links have begun to emerge between the 30-year-old and potential suitors, ahead of a possible exit at the end of the season.
The player’s agent, Joao Santos, recently suggested that the “priority will be to deal with the renewal” with the west London outfit, although he hinted his client could look to leave if a deal cannot be struck, once a takeover is completed.
The Latest: Juventus ‘Confident”
Amid that uncertainty, Football Insider are reporting that Max Allegri’s side are ‘growing increasingly confident’ of securing the Italian’s signature this summer, as they look to pray on the Premier League side’s current difficulties.
The report suggests that the Serie A powerhouse have made the former Napoli man a ‘top target’ for the upcoming transfer window and would be willing to offer him a ‘long-term deal’ to try and tempt him into the switch.
The £40.5m-rated man – who was signed by Maurizio Sarri back in 2018 – is believed to be keen on a return to his homeland, with his agent having suggested back in September that it would be a ‘dream‘ for the playmaker to go back to Italy.
The Verdict: Gilmour Chance
Losing a player who was so influential in last season’s Champions League triumph would no doubt be a blow, although it would perhaps provide Thomas Tuchel with the chance to offer a regular first-team role to current Norwich City loanee, Billy Gilmour.
Despite making just a handful of senior appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit – and while it has been a learning curve at Carrow Road this term – the 2o-year-old has already earned rave reviews since emerging on the international stage with Scotland, earning comparisons to both Xavi and Paul Gascoigne in the process.
The youngster was particularly impressive in his major tournament debut at Euro 2020 last summer, with former Crystal Palace man Patrick van Aanholt likening him to N’Golo Kante after his ‘Man of the Match’ display in the group stage clash with England.
Having also been labelled “like a world-class player” by the typically hard to please Roy Keane following his first Premier League start two years ago, it would appear that the £10.8m-rated starlet has a bright future, with it now time for the playmaker – who was included in CIES Football Observatory’s top 50 best performing players under the age of 21 – to return to his parent club next season.
AND in other news,“One of the worst…” – Joe Cole blasts Chelsea for what happened in the first half vs Madrid
