Juventus Linked to New Marseille Transfer Target

Juventus is actively pursuing several players from Olympique de Marseille as part of a squad overhaul for the 2026-27 season. Reports indicate that the Italian club has been linked to Mason Greenwood, Leonardo Balerdi, and Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg for several months, and a new target from the Marseille squad, described as a favorite of head coach Luciano Spalletti, has recently emerged.

These developments come as Juventus navigates a challenging financial period following its exit from the UEFA Champions League. On February 18, 2026, the club was eliminated during the knockout phase playoffs after a match against Galatasaray, a result that has significantly impacted the club’s projected revenue for the upcoming summer transfer window.

Despite the lack of Champions League funding, Luciano Spalletti remains firmly in control of the technical direction of the team. In April 2026, Spalletti signed a contract extension that secures his position as head coach until 2028. It has been confirmed that the club intends to keep the Italian tactician in his role regardless of whether the team qualified for the Champions League.

As part of his planning for the 2026-27 campaign, Spalletti scheduled talks with club owner John Elkann on May 25, 2026, following the conclusion of the 2025-26 Serie A season. The objective of these discussions was to align the club’s sporting goals with its financial constraints while identifying critical areas for reinforcement.

Transfer Priorities and Strategic Targets

Spalletti has expressed a desire to secure at least one new signing for every position on the pitch to strengthen the squad. According to reporting from Gazzetta, the coach has identified several high-profile targets across different roles.

The primary priority for the goalkeeper position is Alisson of Liverpool. In defense, Spalletti is targeting Kim from Bayern Munich, a player who previously performed under the coach’s leadership at Napoli, to serve as the preferred option at centre-back.

For the midfield, specifically the Regista role, Stanislav Lobotka of Napoli has been named as the main objective. Spalletti is seeking the addition of an attacking midfielder to provide more creativity in the final third.

The stability of the current squad is also a point of focus, particularly regarding Dusan Vlahovic. Spalletti is pushing for a contract extension for the Serbian international. However, there are concerns that Vlahovic may be unlikely to remain in Turin if the club is unable to compete in the Champions League.

Internal Tensions and Management Conflicts

While the sporting targets are clear, the process of acquiring these players may be complicated by internal friction within the Juventus leadership. There are reported disagreements between Luciano Spalletti and CEO Damien Comolli.

The two are reportedly not in agreement regarding several transfer decisions, suggesting a divide in how the squad should be constructed and which players should be prioritized. This tension exists alongside the broader challenge of managing the transfer budget in the absence of the significant revenue typically generated by Champions League participation.

The club’s current strategy involves balancing Spalletti’s desire for significant reinforcements with the financial realities imposed by the club’s recent European exit. The pursuit of Marseille players, including the aforementioned “favorite” of the coach, represents part of this effort to upgrade the squad while navigating a restrictive economic environment.