Juventus Seek Heavyweight No 9: Mateta Emerges as Target

Juventus have set their sights firmly on a new, physical centre-forward for Luciano Spalletti – and the search is now cutting through the Premier League.

Calciomercato report that the club want a powerful focal point to give their attack a more direct edge next season. Joshua Zirkzee has been discussed, but the shortlist runs deeper, with several profiles in England under scrutiny as the Bianconeri try to sharpen their frontline.

At the heart of it, one name has surged back into focus.

Mateta back on the radar

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has re-emerged as a major target after offering himself to Juventus. The Frenchman, tied to Selhurst Park until June 2027, is understood to be open to a new chapter following the recent managerial change in south London.

That willingness has not gone unnoticed in Turin. Juventus are tracking his situation closely, viewing his size, penalty-box presence and Premier League experience as an appealing blend for Spalletti’s evolving attack.

Mateta is not the only card on the table, but he is now one of the most prominent.

Young forwards under the microscope

Juventus have also cast their net across Europe in search of younger options who can grow into the role while boosting squad depth.

Among the names monitored are Nottingham Forest forward Arnaud Kalimuendo and Newcastle United’s Nick Woltemade. Both are on the radar of several leading clubs, with Napoli also attentive to their progress, underlining the level of competition in this market.

The idea in Turin is clear: add more punch, more vertical threat, without losing financial balance or clogging up the dressing room. Every potential signing is being measured not just on talent, but on wages, transfer fee and the knock-on effect on the current squad.

Sport director Frederic Massara is at the centre of that equation, weighing profiles and prices as the clock ticks on the window.

Outgoings will decide everything

There is, however, a hard line Juventus cannot cross. Before any new striker walks through the door, space and money must be freed.

The club still need to resolve key exits in attack, with the departure of Canadian forward Jonathan David described as a fundamental step before they can press ahead with incoming deals. Until that move is unlocked, the rest of the attacking puzzle stays on the table, unsolved.

As the transfer window enters its final stretch, Juventus know the sequence is non-negotiable: sell well, then strike decisively. The question now is whether they can move fast enough to turn this shortlist into the kind of centre-forward who can drag them through the season.