Juventus are closing in on Parma striker Mateo Pellegrino, with Jeff Ekhator offered as a loan makeweight in a structurally complex swap deal.
Juventus are pushing to sign Mateo Pellegrino from Parma and can offer young forward Jeff Ekhator as part of the deal, with Niccolò Ceccarini of Tuttomercatoweb reporting that the Bianconeri are working towards signing the Argentine and that the deal is drawing closer – even if no formal agreement has yet been reached.
The involvement of Ekhator as a potential makeweight, reported in further detail by La Gazzetta dello Sport, transforms what might have seemed a straightforward transfer enquiry into a structurally sophisticated piece of squad management with implications for both clubs.
Mateo Pellegrino & the Profile That Has Juventus Convinced
Pellegrino is described as a tall forward, and he is keen on the move. Juventus are looking at the Argentine as a fit for Luciano Spalletti’s system, and his willingness to move removes one of the more common complications in deals of this type while giving Juventus momentum in their pursuit.
Juventus’ interest is not accidental. Under Luciano Spalletti, the Bianconeri are looking for a profile that is seen as ideal for Spalletti’s system.
Jeff Ekhator & the Swap Mechanism That Makes the Numbers Work
Jeff Ekhator is a talent Juventus are considering using as part of the operation, with La Gazzetta dello Sport indicating that he could be sent out on loan for a season to further his development, particularly if another striker arrives.
The structural logic of the swap is clear: rather than a cash transaction that would require Juventus to pay outright for Pellegrino while leaving Ekhator idle in their squad, the exchange allows the Bianconeri to move a high-upside asset to a club with a demonstrated capacity to develop strikers – Parma’s record with Ange-Yoan Bonny and Pellegrino himself being the most visible evidence of that capability – while simultaneously acquiring the experienced striker they require.
Sassuolo had previously explored Ekhator, with Tarik Muharemovic also in the conversation at the time, confirming there is genuine external appetite for his services and that Parma would not be acquiring a peripheral talent.
A loan for Ekhator to further his development would allow Juventus to consider his progression, with the Pellegrino move remaining the main focus in the wider negotiations.
Juventus’s Attacking Picture – Why Pellegrino Fits the Moment
The pursuit of Pellegrino is not separate from Juventus’s broader striker-planning this window.
Juventus have been linked with options across the forward positions, navigating a complex situation around Randal Kolo Muani while managing the broader reconstruction of an attack that requires both immediate output and sustainable depth. The swap mechanism with Ekhator reflects a broader approach to negotiations rather than straightforward expenditure.
Pellegrino, if he arrives, would be a forward option for Spalletti’s system, and the Argentine’s willingness to make the move strengthens Juventus’s hand considerably as discussions with Parma continue.
Parma’s Position – What the Selling Club Needs From This Deal
Parma’s incentive to engage is real but contingent. The club have built a reputation as a productive environment for young strikers, and the loan approach would give them another avenue to develop Ekhator.
Whether that calculus satisfies Parma’s broader squad requirements – and whether Ekhator fills a specific positional gap in their attack rather than merely supplementing existing options – will be central to whether the two clubs can reach terms.
Parma are not in a position of weakness in this negotiation. Any deal will need to reflect Pellegrino’s value and the terms on offer rather than treating him as an asset to be moved at a discount.
What Happens Next
The decisive variable at this stage is not Juventus’s desire for Pellegrino – that much is established – but whether there is an agreement in place, as discussions are still coming closer.
Whether Parma ultimately judge Ekhator to be the right profile for their squad – and whether the loan structure Juventus prefer can be shaped into terms Parma are willing to accept – will determine whether this deal moves from reported possibility to confirmed reality before Spalletti’s pre-season preparations demand a settled forward line.
