Juventus offered midfielder Douglas Luiz to Manchester United in exchange for Antony before the sacking of sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli, according to Fabrizio Romano.
The Bianconeri are once again forced to rebuild their team following the failed Thiago Motta experiment. Guintoli backed the young coach heavily last summer, but ultimately felt compelled to relieve him of his duties before the season concluded.
Juventus pulled the trigger on the director last week, but up until his sacking, the Italian was still leading the club’s preparations for this summer. Indeed, according to transfer insider Fabrizio Romano, the 53-year-old was even working on a major deal involving Man Utd.
It is claimed that prior to his departure, Giuntoli offered the Red Devils a swap deal for flop winger Antony.
Juventus made Antony offer
Romano states that Giuntoli was prepared to sacrifice midfielder Douglas Luiz, who failed to impress in his first season at Juventus after arriving from Aston Villa in a €50 million deal.
The market expert reveals that ‘initial talks’ took place with Man Utd, and that Juventus were even prepared to try out ‘different formulas’ to get the deal done, including a double loan. Romano did not reveal the Red Devils’ stance on the potential signing of Luiz, however.
The negotiations ended unceremoniously with Giuntoli’s sacking, and this potential blockbuster deal is now on ice for the time being. “The discussion for Antony and Douglas Luiz, at the moment, is not even advancing anymore,” Romano said.
It remains to be seen if new Juve director Damien Comolli will reignite the talks. Man Utd, for their part, are open to offers for Antony after his successful loan at Real Betis, who are still desperate to extend his stay in Seville.
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