Report: Juventus closing in on Joao Cancelo deal worth close to €40 million

Juventus’ search for a new starting right back might be reaching its final days. Or, at the very least, it may be coming completely into focus as to who will be the guy to try and fill the big shoes — VERY BIG SHOES!!! — left by Stephan Lichtsteiner heading to Arsenal.

Juventus and Valencia are, according to Sky Sport Italia’s Gianluca Di Marzio, “ have reached a deal” on a transfer fee that’s somewhere in the neighborhood of €38-€40 million., it was reported late Wednesday in Italy. More of the details:

The Bianconeri have reached a deal with Valencia for a fee of 38-40 million euros. Even though it seems close, but it is definitely not closed. The two clubs are trying to find an agreement on the payment formula. Valence wants to sell him outright, but Juventus wants to find a way to lessen the financial impact on the budget. Optimism remains for a positive ending.

As much as we can squabble about a transfer fee that’s likely going to be around €40 million, it’s kinda hard to say that Juventus are overpaying because, well, what exactly is overpaying in the current state of transfer dealings. The question I have going through my head after seeing this rather significant development is a very important right back question...

Do you want Cancelo for around €40 million?

Or do you want Matteo Darmian for around €20 million?

That’s the kind of thing Juventus has obviously had to decide upon as Manchester United has balked at the price tag that Darmian would demand even though he’s had two very subpar seasons in England after his move from Torino. If the reports are true and Juve really are close to finishing this deal for Cancelo, then there’s the line of thinking that Beppe Marotta can get more value for twice the price rather than going for Darmian at around €20 million because there’s a clear ceiling to his game.