Whilst the team are disqualified from continental competition, Juventus‘ football director Cristiano Giuntoli will still be taking in European action as he undergoes scouting operations in the Champions League and Europa League.
As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Giuntoli and assistants Giovanni Manna and Matteo Tognozzi are set to travel across the continent to observe matches from the competitions, in addition to the Europa Conference League.
Juventus are currently serving a season-long ban from European competition by UEFA due to breaches of club licensing and Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules and forfeited a place in the Europa Conference League.
Giuntoli looking for diamonds
Juventus are seeking to make early headway on identifying and laying the groundwork for reinforcements in both January and the end of the season, after a low-key summer saw Timothy Weah the only significant addition.
As such, Giuntoli and his team are hoping to press ahead for a more active approach to the market over the coming season, as Juventus plan for a return to the Champions League.
There is set to be a significant focus on midfielders, particularly in light of the suspension hanging over Paul Pogba following his positive doping test in early September, and Giuntoli is hoping to spot a target playing in European competition that fits the bill.
Juventus monitoring French midfield trio
However, the Bianconeri have already sounded out targets who won’t be in continental action, with Borussia Monchengladbach‘s Manuel Kouadio Kone being tracked for some time and top of the list of options. The Frenchman is closing in on a return to action following a pre-season injury, and Juventus are keeping close tabs on him.
Meanwhile, compatriot Habib Diarra has also caught the attention of the Bianconeri and they are weighing up an approach to Strasbourg for him.
Similarly, Monaco midfielder and fellow Frenchman Youssouf Fofana is also a target. The 25-year-old has less than two years remaining on his contract and could emerge as an option in the summer.
