Juventus
Juventus weigh mid-season loans for Chiesa and García, La Gazzetta reports
Juventus examine loan options for Federico Chiesa and Gonzalo García, per La Gazzetta report today
Juventus are reported to be exploring temporary moves for two fringe forwards this winter as they look to bolster their attacking options. La Gazzetta dello Sport says the Turin club have shown interest in a return for Federico Chiesa and in a loan for Real Madrid forward Gonzalo García.
The report adds that midfield and the wing back positions require reinforcement, but the forward department could also see additions if Juventus are to sustain recent good form. Chiesa is a particular target because of his versatility and familiarity with Italian football. The Italy international joined Liverpool from the Serie A side in 2024 but an injury-ravaged debut season limited his impact and Arne Slot has largely ignored him since the beginning of the current campaign despite some impressive showings from the bench.
Juve are keen to source an alternative to Kenan Yıldız on the flank to ensure the precocious 20-year-old isn’t overworked. Chiesa’s versatility and knowledge of Italian football are considered major positives. Chiesa’s possible return is a “tantalising” prospect for Juve executives but any move would depend on Liverpool’s willingness to sanction a temporary exit. The Reds have used him sparingly this season but find themselves short on options heading into 2026 following Alexander Isak’s long-term injury and Mohamed Salah’s absence at the Africa Cup of Nations.
García is also linked with a spell in Italy. The 21-year-old made an unexpected impact at the FIFA Club World Cup and has served as Xabi Alonso’s backup No. 9 this term, appearing mainly from the bench. He has started just three matches in all competitions for Los Blancos this season and has attracted Premier League interest, according to the same coverage. Juventus are reportedly considering a loan with an option or obligation to buy for the young Spaniard, though it is unclear whether Real Madrid would permit an exit after they allowed Endrick to join Lyon on loan for the second half of the season.
Arsenal
Money Talks: CIES Ranks the World’s Most Valuable Squads
CIES values nine squads over $1bn; Real Madrid leads at $1.78bn while Tottenham exceed $1bn. Values.
The surge in transfer prices and squad valuations has reshaped how clubs are measured. The CIES Football Observatory produces those estimates by weighing a player’s quality, age, position and length of contract, and those individual valuations are then summed to give each squad a market value.
The scale is striking. There are nine clubs with squads valued above $1 billion. At the top is Real Madrid with a squad valuation of $1.78 billion and Kylian Mbappé listed as the most valuable player at $221 million. Barcelona follow with $1.60 billion, Lamine Yamal accounting for $403.9 million of that total. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain each sit at $1.55 billion, with Bukayo Saka ($131.5 million) and Désiré Doué ($150.3 million) named as their most valuable players respectively.
Liverpool’s roster is valued at $1.20 billion, most valuable player Florian Wirtz ($149.8 million). Bayern Munich come in at $1.15 billion with Michael Olise ($162.6 million) as their top-rated asset. Tottenham’s squad is valued at $1.03 billion; Xavi Simons is listed as their most valuable player ($98.1 million), despite the club’s current relegation fight and Igor Tudor’s assessment that players “are lacking when we attack, we lack the quality to score the goal. We are lacking in the middle to run and we are lacking behind to stay there to suffer and not concede the goal.”
The list also includes Manchester United ($953 million, Benjamin Šeško $100.3 million) and Inter ($942 million, Lautaro Martínez $117 million). Earlier-positioned squads under $1 billion include Atlético Madrid ($903 million, Julián Álvarez $136.5 million), Juventus ($896 million, Kenan Yıldız $152.5 million) and Brighton ($894 million, Diego Gómez $86.4 million).
Several voices in the game have reflected on the market changes. Karl-Heinz Rumminegge said, “There are some players who do not come with a price tag.” Robert Lewandowski complained, “You are young, you score 10 goals in six months and some club will pay 60 or 70 million,” adding, “Before, you had to achieve something.” Vincent Kompany warned players about hype: “I always tell my players, ‘When there’s hype please don’t believe it, you’re not that good.’”
Whether the valuations mirror on-field quality or the inflation of a transfer market remains the central question CIES data brings into focus.
Juventus
Juventus’ Reported Interest in Alisson Aligns with Champions League Budget Plan
Juventus have reportedly targeted Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson as a budget option if they reach UCL.
Reports from Gazzetta dello Sport place Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker on Juventus’ shortlist as the Serie A club evaluates options for a key position. The report says Juventus are “primarily looking to the Premier League” and have identified Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario and Liverpool’s Alisson as potential targets.
AC Milan’s Mike Maignan had earlier been of interest but signed a new contract with Milan, prompting Juventus to shift focus. The club’s available budget is described as contingent on qualifying for the Champions League, which would shape whether they pursue a longer-term, younger alternative or a more affordable option.
Alisson is out of contract in 2027 and will be 34 early next season, details that make him a budget-friendly possibility compared with Vicario, who is four years younger and would likely represent a longer-term investment. There would be a degree of familiarity in an Alisson move to Juventus: he previously made his name in Serie A during two seasons with Roma, arriving under Luciano Spalletti, who is now in charge of Juventus.
Liverpool’s succession planning has already addressed goalkeeper cover. Alisson has missed games through injury in each of the last three seasons, including a seven-match absence with a hamstring problem in October and November. That context informed Liverpool’s decision in 2024 to sign Giorgi Mamardashvili for $39.3 million (£29 million), a transfer that was arranged a year in advance.
Mamardashvili, who enjoyed a breakout at Euro 2024 with Georgia, has made 11 appearances for Liverpool across the Premier League, Champions League and Carabao Cup. Reflecting on Mamardashvili’s debut in September, Arne Slot said, “We knew we were bringing in a very good goalkeeper, but when he plays his first game, that’s always the best way of seeing that he’s adjusted well or not,” and “I think we saw in that game [vs. Southampton] that he’s adjusted really well to our club, which is not a surprise because he’s a quality goalkeeper.”
If Liverpool were to sanction Alisson’s departure, the club would be relying on a two-year period of overlap with Mamardashvili to ensure a smooth transition. Jamie Carragher recently placed Alisson third in his list of the 10 best-ever Premier League goalkeepers.
