Juventus is reportedly considering a January move for Bayer Leverkusen’s prolific center-forward Patrik Schick. According to reports from Sky Deutschland via Calciomercato, the Czech international is open to a potential departure after four successful years at the BayArena.
Despite netting an impressive four goals in a dominant 5-1 victory over Freiburg, Schick is reportedly unsatisfied with his current role at Leverkusen.
The Bundesliga champions are keen to retain their star striker, whose contract runs until 2027, but Juventus may offer the player a fresh challenge in Serie A.
Juventus sees Schick as a backup or alternative to star striker Dusan Vlahovic. The Turin club is in search of reliable reinforcements to maintain their attacking depth, particularly as Arkadiusz Milik nears recovery from a knee injury that sidelined him last season.
Schick has been in top form this season, scoring 13 goals in 20 appearances across all competitions. This resurgence follows a less impressive stint at Roma earlier in his career, making a potential return to Italy an opportunity for redemption.
While Juventus is interested in acquiring Schick, the club is cautious about their financial outlay. The January transfer window presents budgetary constraints, and Juventus is reluctant to pay a premium, especially with other viable options like Jonathan David of Lille potentially available.
With Inter Milan reportedly stepping back from their pursuit of David, Juventus has a clearer path to the highly-rated Canadian international. This flexibility in the market could shape their decision-making in the coming weeks.
Leverkusen, last season’s UEFA Europa League runners-up, is under no pressure to sell. Schick’s contract and recent performances give them leverage to resist offers unless they align with their valuation.
For Juventus, the challenge lies in striking a deal that satisfies both parties while addressing their immediate need for an attacking reinforcement.
Whether Patrik Schick will make his way to Turin remains to be seen, but the winter transfer window is poised to bring clarity to Juventus’ strategy.
