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O’Riley in pole position but not only: All the names for Midfield

Published

5 months ago

August 13, 2025

Juventus continues to prioritize Matt O’Riley as their top midfield signing target. This choice grows stronger after the cooling of interest in Danish midfielder Hjulmand.

Sporting Lisbon remains firm, demanding a steep €60 million for Hjulmand—a price Juventus finds hard to justify. The club aims to secure a midfield talent with a more manageable cost.

O’Riley emerges as the ideal candidate, with an estimated transfer fee around €30 million. Coach Tudor appreciates his style, and Juventus scouts have monitored the player for some time.

However, the club faces a financial challenge: Juventus must finalize at least one key sale to fund their next big move. Striker Kolo Muani remains the top priority to buy, but midfield reinforcements cannot be delayed.

Because of this, Juventus is actively exploring other midfield options to avoid being cornered by the market’s high demands.

Juventus explores multipe midfield options beyond Matt O’Riley

According to TuttoSport, Juventus is eyeing several alternative midfield candidates as backup plans. One prominent name is Franck Kessie, a player well-known to Serie A fans and Juventus alike.

Kessie impressed during his time with Atalanta and AC Milan, and even drew interest from Roma recently. The Ivorian midfielder is eager to return to European football, which keeps his potential move alive.

Besides Kessie, Juventus is also considering Amadou Haidara and Andrey Santos. Haidara, whose contract with RB Leipzig expires next year, could be available at a reasonable price.

Meanwhile, Andrey Santos, born in 2004, represents a younger option. The Chelsea talent might leave London on loan, offering Juventus a chance to develop him further.

Juventus is carefully weighing these alternatives to find the best fit for the squad’s needs and financial plans. Still, the club’s primary concern remains securing funds through player sales. Until that happens, reinforcements will likely remain limited.

Strategic moves for Juventus’ midfield future

Juventus’ midfield strategy clearly shows prudence amid financial constraints. The club aims to strengthen key areas without overextending its budget. The decision to prioritize O’Riley reflects a balance between quality and affordability.

But the door remains open for other talents, depending on negotiations and sales progress. As reported by TuttoSport, Juventus remains active behind the scenes. They continue to monitor players closely while pushing for critical outgoing transfers.

The coming weeks will be decisive in shaping the club’s midfield lineup for the next season. In summary, Juventus’ midfield hunt is a delicate puzzle.

O’Riley leads the race, yet options like Kessie, Haidara, and Santos offer valuable alternatives. The financial puzzle, however, remains the true game-changer.