The goalkeeping carousel in Turin is spinning with increasing urgency, and the latest name to be tossed into the mixer is Lucas Chevalier. GoalZaza ha...
The goalkeeping carousel in Turin is spinning with increasing urgency, and the latest name to be tossed into the mixer is Lucas Chevalier. GoalZaza has learned that Juventus have made formal enquiries with Paris Saint. Germain regarding the French shot stopper, a clear sign that the Bianconeri are widening their net in a search that has been anything but straightforward.Let's be honest for a moment. Juventus's current situation between the sticks is a bit of a headache. Mattia Perin is a reliable deputy, but Wojciech Szczesny's form has been patchy at best, and whispers of a summer departure have persisted for months. They need a long term solution, a keeper who can command his area and start attacks with crisp distribution. Chevalier, currently on loan at Lille, has shown flashes of that composure. He is quick off his line, reads the game well for his age, and has the kind of presence that unsettles opposition strikers during set pieces.But here is where the narrative takes a peculiar turn. Besiktas, the Turkish giants, have also registered their interest. And the rumour mill suggests they are positioning themselves to essentially hand PSG an outcast. The idea is that the Parisian hierarchy, keen to move on from a player they see as surplus to requirements, might be tempted by a deal that sees Chevalier end up in Istanbul. It sounds like one of those agent driven stories that makes you raise an eyebrow, but if Besiktas can offer the Frenchman guaranteed minutes and European football, it becomes a legitimate alternative.So what does this mean for Juventus They are now in a race, and not one they can afford to lose. The Old Lady has a habit of moving slowly in the market, assessing, negotiating, calculating. That approach works for midfield generals or experienced centre halves. It does not work when you are trying to sign a 22 year old goalkeeper who could be snapped up by a club offering a clear pathway to first team action. Thiago Motta, if he is the man to lead the project, will need to accelerate these talks.The tactical fit is interesting too. Chevalier is not a traditional sweeper keeper like Manuel Neuer, but he is comfortable playing out from the back against a high press. That would suit Juventus's attempts to build play through the thirds rather than just lumping it long to a target man. His reflexes are sharp, his shot stopping is solid, and he has that vital arrogance that keeps you concentrated for 90 minutes.Ultimately, this is a transfer story that hinges on timing and ambition. Juventus have the pedigree. Besiktas might have the immediate opportunity. And PSG, as ever, will drive a hard bargain for an asset they once valued highly. If the Bianconeri want their man, they need to stop dithering and start pressing. Because right now, the race is wide open, and the finish line is approaching fast.
