Report: Juventus shift focus towards Valencia right back Joao Cancelo

Juventus are reportedly planning to make a move for Joao Cancelo from Valencia to solve their need for a new right back, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Following the swift departure of Dani Alves, whose contract was terminated after just a year in Turin, the Bianconeri are in need of reinforcements at fullback.

Cancelo is a young and exciting prospect, who thrives on the sort of attacking freedom Max Allegri’s 4-2-3-1 system would offer him. Having just recently broken into the Portuguese national team, Cancelo has scored three goals in four appearances, and is one of the more talented individuals in the European Championship winners’ current squad.

Valenica would be reluctant to lose a player who is only starting to showcase the potential he holds and would rather keep him around for a couple more years as his value is likely to rise. According to outlets cited by Football Italia, the 23-year-old would be available for €25 million, and with both clubs enjoying a good rapport due to the recent transfer business regarding Neto, there is a chance a deal goes through.

Cancelo only signed for Valencia two years ago, following the La Liga club forking out €15 million for his services. For a club with financial issues, laying down such a sum for a 21-year-old showed the faith they had in Cancelo’s ability, and it remains to be seen just how highly they value him now.

Serge Aurier of Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid’s Danilo have been heavily linked with a move to Juventus in the last few weeks, as Beppe Marotta seeks to solve an obvious issue in the current depth chart. However, it now seems as if the board are turning their attention to other alternatives.

As with most rumours in the transfer window, we now have to wait and see how this one plays out.