The Second Attempt: Could Juventus Deliver a Jaw-Dropping Premier League Summer Swoop?
30 March 2026
Context
In a time when Manchester United seems to be drowning in crises, Juventus fans look for a development that could alter the midfield equation in the Italian league during next summer's transfer window.
According to Italian newspaper Gazetta dello Sport, Juventus is preparing to intensify monitoring of Uruguayan star Manuel Ogarte, a Manchester United midfielder, during the friendly between his country Uruguay and Algeria tomorrow at the Allianz Stadium, home of the Old Lady.
This close watch comes despite Ogarte (24) not having delivered the expected level since joining Manchester United in summer 2024 for £42.1m.
Since then, his role has declined noticeably, as he has not completed a full 90 minutes in the Premier League since Leeds United on January 4.
The report says Juventus, who had previously tried to sign Ogarte when he played for Sporting Lisbon, remains impressed by the young player's potential.
The Italian club plans to use the friendly at their stadium to watch his performance closely, paving the way for a formal bid in the summer.
Ogarte recently said he remains fully focused on his Manchester United career and aims to regain his place before the 2026 World Cup, but if his playing time continues to fall under interim manager Michael Carrick, a possible exit could open.
Read more: Intense moves to protect Manchester City's star from Bayern Munich's ambitions.
Manchester United faces a big financial hurdle if it wants to complete the deal, as it is expected to demand the recovery of the investment it made less than two years ago.
In contrast, Juventus is currently struggling to qualify for the Champions League, trailing by three points behind, making European qualification crucial to convincing the player.
Punchline 1: If Juventus land this deal, their midfield will be sharper than a pizza cutter.
Punchline 2: And if Ogarte shines, United might finally admit that upgrades sometimes come from the bench—literally.
