Two reasons why Xhaka’s Juventus move is unlikely

Granit Xhaka has been linked with a January move to Juventus, but the Swiss midfielder is happy at Sunderland, and the Bianconeri will be reluctant to make a big investment for a player who is well over 30, reports Alfredo Pedullà.

Juventus are monitoring the transfer market and might sign a central midfielder in the January window. Several players have been linked with a move to the Allianz Stadium, including Switzerland international Xhaka, but Football Italia’s transfer expert Alfredo Pedullà warns that the 33-year-old is an unlikely addition for the Bianconeri.

“Xhaka is happy at Sunderland, and I’m not sure Juventus can invest so much money in a player who is no longer young,” Pedullà said in his latest YouTube video for Football Italia.

“Juventus will decide later on what to do. They must hire a new sporting director; there’s still a bit of confusion.”

Juventus have collected one win and two draws in Luciano Spalletti’s opening three games in charge. The Old Lady visits Fiorentina in the next Serie A round.

Spalletti said after a 0-0 draw against Torino before the break that he’d consider changing Juventus’ system, and this is exactly what Pedullà expects from the Italian tactician going forward.

“I expect Spalletti to switch to a four-man defence, a 4-3-3 system,” he added.

“From now on, I expect to see Spalletti’s hands, earning many points and showing the coach’s identity.”