Juventus return from the international break with Luciano Spalletti seeking continuity on the pitch and the club working on two immediate concerns away from it: goalkeeping cover after Kamil Grabara’s serious knee injury, and a specialist left-sided defender for the second half of the season.
Grabara is undergoing ligament surgery, forcing Juventus to accelerate their plans for a replacement behind Guglielmo Vicario. Neto is close to joining as the deputy goalkeeper, providing Spalletti with an experienced option after the latest setback in a department already reshaped during the summer.
The wider January discussion concerns the left flank. Juventus have reopened contact with Manchester City’s Rayan Ait-Nouri, the 25-year-old Algeria international who has struggled to establish himself under Enzo Maresca. The Turin club had already sounded out the player near the end of August, when he was concerned about his likely role, and his situation has since offered little reassurance.
Ait-Nouri’s limited City role keeps Juventus alert
Ait-Nouri watched Manchester City lose the Community Shield to Arsenal and has yet to play in the Premier League, having been named among the substitutes four times and left out of one squad. His Champions League contribution amounts to 15 minutes against Porto, although he supplied an assist in that appearance.
His only full match has come in the Carabao Cup against Norwich, where he completed 90 minutes and set up two goals. That return is not enough for a player of his international standing, and Juventus believe there remains an opening if Maresca cannot offer him a more substantial role after the break.
The Bianconeri have placed themselves at the front of the queue through the work of chief executive Carnevali, technical director Massara and sporting director Ottolini. Their preferred route would be a straightforward loan, potentially including an option to buy, while leaving any longer-term agreement until the summer.
Ait-Nouri had already shown willingness to consider Juventus in August. The next weeks at City will now carry weight: his playing time after the international fixtures may determine whether a January move becomes realistic.
Spalletti wants balance on the left
Juventus brought in nine players during the summer: Vicario, Grabara, Celik, Lucumi, Sarr, Alajbegovic, Ekhator, Kolo Muani and Woltemade. A tenth arrival did not materialise late in the window because Juan Cabal resisted a departure from Turin.
The club’s winter principle is expected to remain unchanged: a new signing would require an outgoing player. Cabal, currently injured, remains the most likely candidate to leave. Juventus had been prepared to move the Colombian on 1 September to create room for Nicolas Tagliafico; Ait-Nouri has now moved to the top of the January shortlist.
Spalletti is waiting for a natural left-footer who can allow Celik to operate on the right and give Andrea Cambiaso both meaningful competition and a high-level alternative. Cambiaso is expected to be available again for the trip to Cagliari on 11 October.
The need has become more pronounced after Spalletti found greater solidity in recent matches against NEC and Atalanta. He returned to a back three and used a 3-4-2-1 shape alongside his more familiar 4-2-3-1, making the balance of the wing positions increasingly important.
Raum remains a longer-term possibility
Juventus are also keeping David Raum in mind, though more as a summer opportunity. The 28-year-old Leipzig captain and Germany international is approaching the final year of his contract, which expires in July 2027, and could eventually become available without a transfer fee.
English clubs are expected to provide strong competition for Raum, but Juventus have entered the picture with the help of their positive relationship with the player’s representatives. For now, however, Ait-Nouri is the more immediate file as the club assess how to support Spalletti through the next stage of the Serie A campaign.
