Juventus gear up for Inter as Locatelli calls for grit
West Ham are among the most interested in Juventus defender Federico Gatti. Despite a contract to 2030, Juve could sell for a significant fee depending on defensive depth after his injury-hit season.
Journalist Massimo Pavan urges Juventus captain Manuel Locatelli to be more assertive to ‘earn respect’, citing the Maldini challenge and contrasting Lautaro Martinez’s behaviour, as Spalletti backs his key midfielder.
Khephren Thuram is a doubt after a training knock. Juventus weigh risks before Inter, with his midfield control and potential duel with brother Marcus adding stakes to a key top-four test.
After a hat-trick in a 5-1 win, Icardi says Galatasaray are ‘ready for Juventus’ before their Champions League play-off, first leg in Istanbul and return in Turin.
Locatelli urges maturity before Inter, citing need to win ‘even dirty ones’. Juventus target a composed display after November’s 4-3 in Turin, stressing personality and resilience at San Siro.
Inter may start Barella and Calhanoglu after injury recoveries, with Zielinski kept in. Juventus could face a first-choice Nerazzurri midfield at San Siro in the Derby d’Italia.
Juventus reportedly agree a new deal with Kenan Yildiz, strengthening their hand amid Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City interest and signalling the forward’s contentment in Turin.
Juventus and Inter are set to rival each other for Tottenham goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, whose Premier League form has drawn Serie A interest ahead of potential summer moves.
Inter coach Cristian Chivu praises Juventus’ rapid improvement under Luciano Spalletti ahead of the Derby d’Italia, noting their progress since his arrival as Inter defend top spot after Juve’s earlier 4-3 win.
Lloyd Kelly’s standout form at centre-back and left-back puts him in line for an England call-up, with Liverpool and Tottenham monitoring the Juventus defender’s progress.
Inter and Juventus enter the Derby d’Italia with near-equal wage bills, €137m vs €135m. Juve’s top earners include Vlahovic on €12m and Yildiz, David on €6m. Inter’s leaders are Lautaro €9m, Barella, Calhanoglu €6.5m.
Spurs name ex-Juventus man Igor Tudor interim boss, extending the Turin link that also brought Kulusevski and Bentancur, and echoing Conte-style back-three ideas.
Klinsmann hails Weston McKennie as ‘unpredictable’, praising his energy and versatility. Juventus value him and plan contract talks as the American’s influence grows in Turin.
