Spalletti and Juve seeking back-up for Yildiz
Luciano Spalletti has revealed that Juventus is looking to sign an attacking player in the January transfer window in order to protect Kenan Yildiz.
The 20-year-old has scored seven goals in 19 league appearances this season, and with one more goal, he would surpass his best tally in a single top-flight campaign (seven in 2024-2025, but in 35 games).
The Juventus forward, who scored in his most recent game aged 20 years and 253 days, became the fifth-youngest Juventus player to reach 15 Serie A goals, after Felice Placido Borel, Giampiero Boniperti, Bruno Nicole and Guglielmo Gabetto.
Juventus has been linked with former player Federico Chiesa, with the Italian struggling for minutes under Arne Slot at Liverpool.
Ahead of Juve's trip to Cagliari, Spalletti believes it is important that the club look to protect Yildiz ahead of a busy schedule.
“I am convinced that we can still grow and that there are still a few things we might be missing,” Spalletti said.
“I want to leave Yildiz alone because I don’t want to question him in terms of his role. For me, he’s incredibly strong, he’s doing an amazing job and I want to protect him.
“We’re looking for a replacement in that area. Usually, a top player is a top player because they’re undroppable, or because they play like a champion. He does both.
“He’s an important player for us and we want to try to protect him, but he has the physique and engine and we want to have him play as many games as possible because he gives us so many different solutions.”
With just one win in its past six games and three defeats, Cagliari sits five points above the relegation zone in 16th.
It lost 3-0 to Genoa last time out, seeing its opponent leapfrog it in the Serie A standings.
