Vincenzo Italiano hasn’t even had time to unpack his bags in Istanbul, but the rumor mill is already churning with talk of a dramatic talent raid on one of Serie A’s biggest clubs. Insiders claim the newly appointed Besiktas head coach is plotting to bring as many as three Juventus outcasts with him to the Turkish Super Lig — a move that could reshape both squads ahead of the new season.
Italiano officially signed a two-year deal with the Black Eagles last weekend, a contract that reportedly makes him the third-highest-paid Italian manager on the planet, pocketing a staggering €6 million per season. Only Simone Inzaghi and Carlo Ancelotti earn more among Italian tacticians, sources say. But the real headline here isn’t the salary — it’s the shopping list.
The Brazilian Connection
According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italiano has his eyes set on a trio of Juventus players who have been deemed surplus to requirements in Turin. Topping that list is a familiar face: midfielder Arthur Melo. The 29-year-old Brazilian hasn’t featured for Juventus since the 2021-22 season — a stunning stretch of inactivity that has left fans scratching their heads. He still has one year left on his contract, and Juventus would need to fetch around €6.5 million to avoid taking a capital loss on his sale.
Here’s where it gets interesting: Arthur currently earns €5 million per season in Turin, but insiders say Besiktas are prepared to match that figure without blinking. Italiano knows Arthur well from their time together at Fiorentina, where the coach helped the midfielder rediscover his form after a disastrous loan spell at Liverpool. Sources close to the situation claim Italiano sees Arthur as a cornerstone for his midfield rebuild in Turkey.
Another Brazilian in the Mix
But wait — there’s more. The same reports indicate Besiktas have also expressed serious interest in Douglas Luiz, another Brazilian midfielder who has seen his career spiral since joining Juventus in a blockbuster €50 million deal. La Gazzetta claims that after underwhelming in his debut Serie A season, the 28-year-old went on two fruitless loan stints — first to Nottingham Forest and then back to Aston Villa during the 2025-26 campaign. Sources say Juventus manager Luciano Spalletti is considering giving Douglas Luiz one more look during preseason, but Besiktas have allegedly already made preliminary inquiries about his availability.
One insider told us that the player’s camp is “open to a fresh start” and that a move to Istanbul could be just what he needs to reboot his stalled career.
A Goalkeeper on the Way Out
The third name on Italiano’s alleged wishlist is goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Juventus are expected to offload the shot-stopper if a suitable offer comes in — and Besiktas are reportedly ready to pounce. While Di Gregorio hasn’t been a major talking point in Turin, sources suggest his departure could free up space and funds for Juventus to pursue other targets, while giving Besiktas a reliable option between the posts.
If Italiano pulls off this triple swoop, it would send shockwaves through both the Turkish Super Lig and Serie A. For Juventus, it would mean finally offloading dead weight and balancing the books. For Besiktas, it could signal the beginning of a new era — one built on discarded talent from one of Europe’s most storied clubs. As one source put it: “This isn’t just a transfer move. This could be a statement.”
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