Indications have shown that Juventus pair Alvaro Morata and Federico Bernardeschi will be leaving the Turin club this summer.
According to a Spanish newspaper, Marca, Juventus told Morata they will not make his loan move from Atletico Madrid permanent.
Morata, who already had a stint with the Old Lady before making a move to Chelsea and eventually Atletico Madrid from Real Madrid, rejoined Juve on loan for two seasons with the option of making the deal permanent for €35 million.
The Spanish media claimed that Juve had decided not to pay the necessary fee.
This is good news for Barcelona, who are reportedly eyeing the striker. Recent reports in Spain suggest he is a backup option should the Catalan side should fail to land first-choice striker Robert Lewandowski. The Polish has said he won’t be signing a new deal at the Bavarian club.
During his first spell with Juve (2014 to 2016), Morata helped them win back-to-back league and cup Doubles. He also scored in the 2015 Champions League final defeat to Barcelona.
Real Madrid exercised the buy-back clause on him, and he was part of the Les Blancos, which beat Juve in the 2017 Champions League final.
The same goes with Bernardeschi, who was also reportedly told he is not part of the club’s project.
According to sources, the Italy winger had hoped to prolong his deal with the Coppa Italia finalists but was told he won’t be getting a new deal. That makes him a free agent from June 30.
A source said there were lengthy discussions with the player before Juve reached the mutual agreement that it was best to go their separate ways.
Tuscan-born Bernardeschi is expected to be a target for a host of top clubs in Europe as he was when he burst onto the scene at Fiorentina. His performance made him be handed the prestigious No. 10 shirt worn by Roberto Baggio.
After moving to the Turin club in 2017 in a deal worth €40 million, Bernadeschi won a Serie A title and the Coppa Italia, which made it Juve’s fourth-consecutive Double.
He was also part of the squad that won another two league titles and more Coppa Italia. He was also a member of Italy’s triumphant Euro 2020 squad.
He also scored 12 goals during his 182 appearances for the Bianconeri.
No doubt, clubs will be queuing for their signature, having proven their mettle in the top flights.
Written by: Oladipupo Mojeed
