Juventus target Premier League duo after Youssef En-Nesyri talks stall

Juventus are targeting two Premier League strikers after growing frustrated in their attempts to sign Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri.

The Bianconeri have spent weeks chasing En-Nesyri, but those negotiations have now stalled, leaving the club to look elsewhere before the window slams shut.

Reports from Turin claim that the Moroccan international would prefer to join Juve on a permanent move but the Italian outfit are only offering a loan move as it stands.

With the winter window closing on February 2 in Italy, there is now a rush to bring in new signings before it shuts. Sporting director Giorgio Chiellini recently confirmed that the pursuit of En-Nesyri has hit a wall, with the club now looking at Liverpool forward Federico Chiesa and Manchester United outcast Joshua Zirkzee.

Both players have struggled for minutes in the Premier League this season, and a return to Serie A for both players could offer the perfect escape route.

Juventus eye Chiesa and Zirkzee as En-Nesyri talks stall

The collapse of the En-Nesyri deal has forced Juve to go back to the drawing board. While Juventus agreed to a loan move with Fenerbahce worth €5million with an option-to-buy included, En-Nesyri decided against the loan switch.

This latest piece of Juventus transfer news cycle highlights the club’s urgent need for a specific profile of attacker and one who can provide a physical presence in the box that the current squad arguably lacks.

Spalletti’s arrival earlier this season has already seen a shift in philosophy, and the Italian tactician is a known admirer of both Chiesa and Zirkzee.

He’s already worked with Chiesa at the international level and appreciates Zirkzee’s unique ability to link play.

This tactical flexibility is vital, especially as the club looks to find a balance between the creative flair of Kenan Yildiz and the finishing of Dusan Vlahovic.

Latest Juventus transfer news: Signing forwards remain a priority

The 2026 January window has already been an active one for Juve. After a summer that saw the arrival of Jonathan David on a free from Lille, the Canadian international has been a positive addition to the squad, scoring in recent victories against Napoli and Cremonese.

However, the heavy schedule across Serie A and the Champions League proves the need to add depth to the squad. David has been reliable, but Spalletti needs more reinforcements to avoid burnout.

Beyond their striker hunt, Juventus have been able to offload Nicolas Gonzalez, creating both space and a need for fresh legs. The pursuit of Chiesa is particularly poignant; he left for Liverpool in 2024 but has found playing time hard to come by under Arne Slot. A loan return would be a sentimental and tactical boost.

Meanwhile, Zirkzee has always had admirers at Juve, despite his struggles at Manchester United. Bringing him back to Italy, where he flourished at Bologna, is a gamble the Juventus hierarchy seems increasingly willing to take.

Juventus maintain pace in Serie A as Spalletti shapes the squad

Despite this latest setback in the transfer window, Juventus have stabilized on the pitch. Following the departure of Igor Tudor in late 2024, Spalletti has steadied the ship at the Allianz Stadium.

The team currently sits in the top four, locked in a battle with Napoli and Roma for the Champions League spots. Recent form has been encouraging, including dominant wins over Cremonese and Napoli in Serie A, as well as a solid 2-0 victory against Benfica in the Champions League.

The expectation in Turin is nothing short of a trophy or a deep European run. The team has shown greater defensive solidity, but the lack of a classic No 9 has occasionally made them look toothless in tight games, such as the recent narrow loss to Cagliari.

With the squad gradually adapting to Spalletti’s 4-3-3 system, the final week of January will be decisive. Whether it’s a homecoming for Chiesa or a fresh start for Zirkzee, Juve know they can’t afford to leave the window empty-handed.