Juventus out of running to sign Kalvin Phillips and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg - report
- Juventus were linked with Phillips and Hojbjerg
- The club are in the market for a midfielder due to Pogba's suspension
- Newcastle are also keen on Phillips
By 90min Staff
Juventus have been ruled out of the running to sign Premier League duo Kalvin Phillips and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg this January.
The Serie A giants had been in the market for a midfielder during the January transfer window, with 90min understanding that the club had held talks with Manchester City regarding the availability of out-of-favour midfielder Phillips before Christmas.
Juve had been keen to sign the England international on an initial loan deal in which Man City would continue to pay the bulk of the player's hefty wage packet.
Along with Phillips, Juventus had also retained an interest in Tottenham's Hojbjerg. Juve's sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli enquired about the midfielder's availability during a recent trip to London.
According to The Sun however, interest in both player's has now subsided due to the financial outlay required to sign either player. The report claims that City are holding out for £5m to allow Phillips to leave the club on loan in January, with a further £40m required in order to sign the player outright in the summer.
With Juve have limited funds to play with this January, such demands have now ruled them out of the race to sign the midfielder.
Speaking to SportMediaset this week, Giuntoli also hinted at the club dropping out of the race to sign the Premier League midfielders, stating: “At this stage, there are no right opportunities from the economical and technical standpoints, so we stay as is.”
Giuntoli was also keen to insist that the club didn't necessarily need to sign a midfielder during the current transfer window too: “I wouldn’t say we have numerical need because those missing have been out for a few months.
"We have a lot of guys who are capable but haven’t found much room and already proved their quality like Hans Nicolussi Caviglia, Samuel Iling, and Fabio Miretti. The squad is worthy, and the coach is happy. He’s doing extraordinary things with the lads and his staff. We’ll keep at it keeping our heads down.”
News of Juve dropping out of the race to sign Phillips will be welcomed at St. James' Park by Newcastle United. 90min understands that the Magpies are planning to firm up their interest in signing the midfielder, however Financial Fair Play concerns that an initial loan deal will likely be the club's only route to a deal.
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