Juventus close €18m Ekhator deal with Genoa, send Next Gen player in return
Quick summary
Juventus are finalizing an €18m deal to sign striker Ekhator from Genoa, with a Next Gen player moving in the opposite direction as part of the agreement.
Full article
Attributed to original sourceMultiple sources in Italy are reporting that Juventus have closed a deal with Genoa to sign Italy U21 striker Jeff Ekhator on a permanent deal, with Next Gen talent David Puzcka set to move in the opposite direction.
Ekhator all set for Juventus move According to Tuttosport and various others, Juventus have agreed a deal in full with Genoa to sign Ekhator for a guaranteed fee of €16m with up to a further €2m in bonuses and add-ons.
The 19-year-old, who scored three Serie A goals last term, is expected to sign a five-year contract in Turin with wages worth around €1.3m per season.
It will technically be a separate deal, but Juventus Next Gen talent Puzcka is set to move from the Old Lady to the Grifone for a fee of €5m plus bonuses and a 10% sell-on clause. Some outlets claim that there could be a buy-back option in favour of the Bianconeri as well.
According to Wednesday’s reports, Bologna, Atalanta and Real Betis had all stepped forward with proposals for Ekhator in the early stages of the summer, but none of them exceeded the €15m that Genoa were seeking. Juventus were reportedly prepared to go slightly over the asking price in order to secure a deal as a matter of urgency.
GENOA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25: Jeff Ekhator of Genoa looks on during the Coppa Italia match between Genoa CFC and Empoli at Stadio Luigi Ferraris on September 25, 2025 in Genoa, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) Juve are now expected to kick on in negotiations with Paris Saint-Germain over the return of Randal Kolo Muani, who netted a goal every other game in 16 Serie A appearances while on loan with the Bianconeri in the second half of the 2024-25 season.
The two clubs are reportedly discussing a loan with an obligation to buy for a fee in the region of €30m-€40m.
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What happened
Juventus are close to completing the signing of Ekhator from Genoa in a deal worth €18 million. As part of the arrangement, a Juventus Next Gen (youth team) player will move to Genoa in the other direction. Ekhator is a young striker who has been impressing in Serie A, and Juventus view him as a promising addition to their attacking options. The deal is reportedly in its final stages, with both clubs working to complete the formalities.
Chance analysis
This is a notable acquisition for Juventus, adding a promising young striker to their squad for €18m — a reasonable fee in the current market for an emerging Serie A talent. Moving a Next Gen player back the other way helps Juventus manage their youth pipeline while offsetting some of the cost. For Genoa, losing a young attacking talent is a blow but the fee and incoming player provide compensation. Ekhator's arrival adds depth and potential to Juventus' forward line ahead of the new season.
Juventus add a promising young striker to their squad; Genoa lose a developing talent but receive a Next Gen player and €18m.
Juventus gain a young attacking option in Ekhator, slightly strengthening their forward depth for upcoming Serie A fixtures.