Spalletti’s three January transfer priorities for Juventus revealed

Spalletti’s three January transfer priorities for Juventus revealed La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Luciano Spalletti’s three transfer priorities for the January transfer window are a ‘classic’ centre-forward, a central midfielder and a left-back. The Bianconeri are struggling this season, sitting seventh in Serie A with just 18 points from 11 league games. ITALY – OCTOBER 25: Head coach of Juventus FC Luciano Spalletti looks on ahead the Serie A match between US Lecce and Juventus at Stadio Via del Mare on October 25, 2026 in Italy. (Photo by Maurizio Lagana/Getty Images) Coach Spalletti has been dealing with a deep injury crisis since the start of the season, being forced to cope without Kenan Yildiz, Khephren Thuram and Manuel Locatelli, among others, for several months. And it’s no surprise that one of Spalletti’s priorities in the January window is to sign a new central midfielder. According to Gazzetta, the top three names on the Bianconeri’s agenda are Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Marseille), Darryl Bakola (Sassuolo) and Italy international Issa Doumbia. LISBON, PORTUGAL – SEPTEMBER 9: Issa Doumbia of Sporting CP celebrates a third goal scored by Rodrigo Zalazar of Sporting CP in action during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Sporting Club de Portugal and Galatasaray A.S. at Estadio Jose Alvalade on September 9, 2026 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Carlos Rodrigues/Getty Images) The former Venezia midfielder joined Sporting CP for €20m last summer, and Gazzetta describes him as a ‘dream signing’ for the Old Lady, suggesting a January move is unlikely. Spalletti’s starting point, however, will be to welcome a new, classic centre-forward, with Alexander Sorloth (Atletico Madrid), Folarin Balogun (Monaco) and Mateo Retegui among the Bianconeri’s top targets. LEEDS, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 04: Destiny Udogie of Tottenham Hotspur is challenged by Brenden Aaronson of Leeds United during the Premier League match between Leeds United and Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road on October 04, 2025 in Leeds, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images) Gazzetta, however, notes that convincing Al Qadisiah to sell Retegui might be difficult in January. As for the defence and the left-back role specifically, Juve’s three top names are Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City), Destiny Udogie (Tottenham) and Barcelona’s Alejandro Balde, again described as a dream target for the Serie A giants.