Key Takeaways:
- Juventus contemplated signing Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer transfer window due to uncertainties surrounding Wojciech Szczesny’s future with the club.
- Despite a shaky performance by Szczesny in a recent match, coach Massimiliano Allegri reaffirmed his position as the team’s starting goalkeeper but acknowledged the capabilities of backup option Mattia Perin.
- Juventus had discussions about Donnarumma when PSG expressed interest in Dusan Vlahovic, but no agreement was reached for two primary reasons.
Evaluating Goalkeeper Options
Juventus has been grappling with questions regarding the goalkeeping position, with Wojciech Szczesny’s recent underwhelming performance in the spotlight. The team faced their first defeat of the season in a 4-2 loss to Sassuolo, with Szczesny making several errors during the match.
Juventus are continuing to have doubts about Wojciech Szczesny after seriously considering a move for Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma in the summer.https://t.co/ijgIfZcjj9 #Donnarumma #Szczesny #Juventus #PSG #SerieA #Calcio
— Football Italia (@footballitalia) September 25, 2023
Coach’s Stance
Coach Massimiliano Allegri has affirmed that Szczesny remains the primary goalkeeper for Juventus. However, he also highlighted the capabilities of backup goalkeeper Mattia Perin, hinting at potential changes in the future.
Is it time for Mattia Perin to start in goal? Or should we stick with Wojciech Szczesny?https://t.co/CuRyfgmJgo
— JuveFC (@juvefcdotcom) September 24, 2023
Donnarumma Consideration
During the summer transfer window, Juventus seriously explored the possibility of signing Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain. This decision was influenced by uncertainties surrounding Szczesny’s future with the club.
🚨PSG will hold talks in the coming days to extend the contract of 24-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
▪️Many clubs are monitoring the Italian goalkeeper's situation. 🇮🇹 🔴🔵 #PSG pic.twitter.com/GLBv3nWB4v
— Ekrem KONUR (@Ekremkonur) September 20, 2023
Obstacles to the Deal
Discussions about Donnarumma arose when PSG showed interest in acquiring Dusan Vlahovic. However, an agreement between the clubs did not materialize for two key reasons.
First, Juventus believed that Vlahovic’s valuation exceeded that of Donnarumma, a viewpoint not shared by PSG. Second, Donnarumma’s salary, which amounted to approximately €12 million net per season, including add-ons, presented a financial challenge for the Italian club.
Despite considering Donnarumma, Juventus ultimately decided against pursuing the goalkeeper during the summer transfer window, opting to continue with Szczesny as their starting choice while keeping an eye on backup options like Mattia Perin.