Juventus ‘join race to sign £36m-rated Brescia midfielder Sandro Tonali’ after Andrea Pirlo is appointed manager
Juventus have entered the race to sign Brescia midfielder and Inter Milan target Sandro Tonali after appointing Ardea Pirlo as their new manager.
Pirlo was unveiled as head coach on Saturday, just hours after Maurizio Sarri was sacked following the club’s Champions League round of 16 defeat by Lyon.
The Bianconeri’s transfer strategy will inevitably change following the decision of chairman Andrea Agnelli and sporting director Fabio Paratici to promote Pirlo, and Tonali has reportedly become the club’s primary target.
Gazzetta dello Sport and Tuttosport claim The Old Lady have abandoned plans to sign Jorginho from Chelsea and will instead pursue the player who has been labelled the ‘new Pirlo’.
The 20 year old excelled in the 2019-20 campaign, producig one goal and seven assists in 36 appearances.
Inter have been in advanced negotiations to sign Tonali in recent weeks and Brescia owner Massimo Cellino has set an asking price of 40 million euros (£36m).
However, Tonali could be swayed by the opportunity to play under Pirlo; a coach with an expert understanding of the deep-lying playmaker role.
One report in Tuttosport suggests Sassuolo’s Manuel Locatelli will be a back-up option if Tonali chooses Antonio Conte and Inter.
Tonai would become Juve’s third signing of the summer after Arthur Melo joined from Barcelona and Dejan Kulusevski will complete his permanent move from Parma.