Juventus enter race to sign Barcelona, Real Madrid target

Heading into the summer transfer window, AFC Ajax midfield sensation Ryan Gravenberch is set to become a hot commodity.

The 19-year-old prospect has grown leaps and bounds since bursting onto the scenes in 2018 at the age of 16. Now a mainstay in the centre of the pitch for the Eredivisie champions, the youngster has also established a foothold in the Netherlands national team.

Gravenberch is entering the final year of his contract at the end of the season, leading to rampant speculations over his future at Ajax. Barcelona have been credited with a serious interest in the teenage midfielder as a long-term replacement for captain Sergio Busquets.

However, as per a fresh update from Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Fichajes), Juventus have also entered the race to sign Gravenberch, who is also on the radars of Real Madrid as well as Bayern Munich.

The Bianconeri enjoyed a successful January transfer window, signing Dusan Vlahovic and Denis Zakaria – both players who at some point were on the radars of Barça. And they are planning a big splurge in the summer as well, with Gravenberch emerging as one of their top targets.

Juventus have their eyes on Manchester United’s Paul Pogba while they are also working on contract renewals for Paulo Dybala and Matthijs de Ligt, which might make it hard for Juve to land the Ajax prodigy. But they have a good relationship with his agent, Mino Raiola, which could aid them.

As for Barcelona, they are also preparing for a huge summer, with Erling Haaland the main target on Joan Laporta’s agenda. A new central defender is also on the cards, along with full-backs on both right and left sides.

So, whether they are ready to splurge on a new midfielder as well remains to be seen. But given Gravenberch’s potential and his contract situation, it would be a move worth making for the Blaugrana in the summer.