Juventus Could Offer Manuel Locatelli As Bait To Lure Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg To Italy

Juventus are open to a Manuel Locatelli swap-deal in a bid to land Marseille midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg. 

The Bianconeri are keen to reinforce their midfield in January and have identified Hojbjerg as their primary target. However, the Danish international has become a key figure under head coach Roberto De Zerbi.

Hojbjerg has skippered the French side regularly under the Italian coach and De Zerbi does not want to lose him next month.

Therefore, Juve is willing to offer Locatelli in exchange in a bid to smooth out the potential deal.

Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg Transfer News

Even though Kenan Yildiz’s Juventus contract update is the hot topic of discussion in Turin, Luciano Spalletti is keen to get Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg on board first.

The recently-appointed Juve head coach has been tasked with restoring the glory days to the Allianz Stadium. The former Azzurri boss is fond of Hojbjerg and believes he can help with the Old Lady’s top four push.

Hojbjerg has performed above expectations for Marseille in Ligue 1 and the Champions League in 2025-26. Such form has brought the defensive midfielder to Spalletti’s attention once again who wants to thrash out a deal.

Manuel Locatelli Swap-Deal For Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg

Since transferring to Juventus on a permanent deal in 2023, Manuel Locatelli has been a fan’s favorite in Turin. The midfield ace even scored the decisive penalty against Venezia which ensured Juve’s top-four place last season.

Locatelli earned the captain’s armband under former boss Thiago Motta and has kept it under Luciano Spalletti. However, the wily old boss is not a huge admirer of Locatelli’s style of play.

That stance has not changed and the pair haven’t quite seen eye-to-eye since Euro 2024. Locatelli was famously dumped from Spalletti’s Azzurri squad for the competition.

Now, Locatelli is expected to be used as bait to help land Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg to Turin. It remains to be seen whether Marseille will be happy to trade but it’s certainly a tempting proposal.

Juventus’ Midfield Transfer Targets

With Juventus aiming to add experience and proven quality to their roster, the Bianconeri have shortlisted a number of midfielders for the next two windows.

Juve target Xaver Schlager is one name who has recently emerged on their wishlist. The RB Leipzig star has been compared to the legendary German Bastian Schweinsteiger.

On the subject of DFB midfielders, Bayern Munich’s Leon Goretzka is also a consideration. His contract expires in June and he is expected to quit the Allianz Arena.

Closer to home, Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi is interesting Juventus. Interestingly, Frattesi’s sister is dating the Old Lady’s Weston McKennie which may (or may not) help in persuading the Nerazzurri star to join.

Elsewhere, Morten Hjulmand, Kobbie Mainoo, Ruslan Malinovskyi and Bernardo Silva are also being monitored. However, the primary goal for January is to acquire Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg.

Even if it means sacrificing Manuel Locatelli to get the deal over the line.