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Juventus weigh up new goalkeeper and left-back options

·By Junior Yekini
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Juventus weigh up new goalkeeper and left-back options

Juventus/X.com

Juventus are exploring options for both a back-up goalkeeper and a new left-sided defender, with Sead Kolašinac emerging as a leading target.

The club have already brought in Guglielmo Vicario and moved on both Mattia Perin, heading to Palermo, and Michele Di Gregorio, bound for Bournemouth, but are still weighing up a second goalkeeping addition.

One option under consideration is Pietro Terracciano, currently AC Milan's back-up but with previous experience as Fiorentina's first choice. The other route under exploration, according to Sky Sport, is Santiago Beltrán, an Argentine goalkeeper with an Italian passport at River Plate; his contract runs to 2027, though the South American club's valuation remains high and any deal would need lengthy negotiation.

A third name, Emil Audero, has effectively been ruled out. Juventus would have welcomed a reunion with their former goalkeeper, but Como are unwilling to let him leave, since the Italy-eligible Indonesia international — who came through the Italian system despite representing Indonesia internationally — is needed to satisfy the club's quota of home-grown players for their first Champions League campaign.

Juventus are also still searching for cover at left wing-back behind Andrea Cambiaso, a role several players have been tried in without convincing Luciano Spalletti.

Pierre Kalulu and Zeki Çelik — both more naturally suited to the right side — have filled the position out of necessity rather than natural fit, while Juan Cabal has fallen out of favour since his sending-off in the Champions League against Galatasaray.

With a deadline of 1 September to find a solution, Tuttosport reports that Sead Kolašinac, currently at Atalanta and not central to Maurizio Sarri's plans there, has emerged as the leading name.

The 32-year-old Bosnian left-footer, who can also play at centre-back or as a left-sided wing-back in a back three, does not fit Spalletti's usual defensive profile but represents good value given his contract expires in 2027, meaning any deal would be a straightforward permanent transfer at low cost.

Schalke have made contact over the same player in recent weeks but have not gone beyond an initial enquiry.