Spalletti reacts to Elkann claims after offer to buy Juventus: ‘It’s up to us’

Luciano Spalletti is ‘happy’ to ‘feel the strength’ of John Elkann but pushes the team to ‘give substance’ to the owner’s ‘passion.’

Juventus are preparing to visit Bologna at the Stadio Dall’Ara tomorrow, but the eve of the game has been shaken by the news that minority shareholders Tether have made an offer to buy a majority stake from Exor.

Minutes before Spalletti’s pre-match press conference, Elkann released a statement through the Juventus website insisting that the club was not for sale: “We’ll continue to support our team and look to the future to build a winning Juve,” said the club owner.

“Even though I arrived only recently, it makes me happy to feel the strength and passion that John Elkann and family have for this club,” Spalletti said (via Ilbianconero.com).

“It is clear that it is up to us to give substance and concreteness to this passion, honouring the last and building a future on the same level, or even a better one, as John Elkann himself told us when he came to visit us.”

The Italian tactician revealed he had spoken to Elkann on Friday: “Yes, and I saw him too, a few hours ago, just yesterday,” he said.

“Sometimes, he sends me his thoughts, and I’m glad about it. In this case, he mentioned the future as well and clearly, as I said when I arrived, the objective is to always aim for the top when you are part of this kind of club.”

Tether’s offer to buy Juventus is worth €1.1 billion, but according to several sources, the club’s actual value is closer to €2 billion.

Regardless of the club’s worth and Tether’s offer, however, Elkann and his family are unwilling to sell the club, as the Juventus owner clarified.

Juventus currently sit 7th in the Serie A table with 23 points, three below their next rivals, Bologna.