A big part of Juventus’ plans this summer was to sell off a group of their most talented youngsters in order to raise money to buy older players and give current ones new contracts.
That seems alien to many in English football, but youth just isn’t valued as much in Italy.
They look like they’re sending Samuel Iling-Junior to Aston Villa and now it’s the turn of Matias Soule, who is very highly rated.
Thursday’s edition of Gazzetta dello Sport reports West Ham and Leicester City have revived their interest. The Hammers have been linked for a long time, yet that probably paused for a while as they appointed their new manager.
Leicester City have been in a similar position, but more important for them was securing promotion to the Premier League… because they weren’t signing the Juventus player without that.
The Italian newspaper reports West Ham and Leicester City will contact the player’s agent Martin Guastadisegno within days, and they can pursue a deal from there.
As it stands, the only offer Juventus have right now is €20m plus bonuses from Bayer Leverkusen. Whether that offer actually exists or is a placeholder for value isn’t clear.
The reason we’d question its existence is that €20m plus bonuses seems fair, and therefore it could be an attempt to push West Ham and Leicester City higher.
Matias Soule is a 21-year-old Argentina youth international. Last season he was on loan at Frosinone, playing on the right wing or as a second striker.
In 36 Serie A matches, he scored 11 goals and contributed three assists.
