Italian giants hold talks with United to sell 26-yo midfielder in January, €50m to seal deal – report

Juventus held transfer talks with Manchester United and Manchester City this week, as per reports in Italy.

Amorim’s first match in charge of United was enough to underline that the Red Devils would need reinforcements in the upcoming transfer windows to shape the squad into one he can work with and compete at the highest level.

It remains unclear how ambitious the club’s hierarchy would be in January, having already spent big in the summer to back Erik ten Hag’s project. But it is being suggested United have already started exploring the transfer market and held a meeting with Juventus’ transfer chief.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport (via Sport Witness), Juve technical director Cristiano Giuntoli held transfer talks with United on Wednesday, as Juventus travelled to England to face Aston Villa. The director also spoke with the noisy neighbours.

The outlet claims the Old Lady intend to sell Nicolò Fagioli and Douglas Luiz to the two Premier League sides.

Juve are looking to strengthen their backline and add a new goalscorer to their ranks in January, and their aim is to raise funds by selling the two midfielders.

Fagioli, 23, known for his passing range and dribbling, is valued at between €20-25m.

Premier League fans are well aware of Luiz, 26, who established himself as a key part of Villa’s midfield with his defensive prowess and ability to score from midfield.

The Brazilian box-to-box midfielder moved to Turin this summer, but he has struggled to replicate his Villa form under Thiago Motta. It is understood that the Serie A side would request €50m or be willing to use him to carry out a swap deal.

With both Casemiro and Christian Eriksen in their thirties, United could certainly do with someone like Luiz, who has the technical ability and physicality to shine in the Premier League.

Further, Juventus have been linked with Harry Maguire and Joshua Zirkzee in recent weeks so the possibility of a swap deal can’t be ruled out.

However, it is worth noting that Gazzetta didn’t shed any light on United’s stance on the possibility of signing Fagioli or Luiz in the winter transfer window.

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