Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'attempted to hijack' Juventus move for 26-year-old goalkeeper

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 09 June 2024

Liverpool reportedly attempted to hijack Juventus' move for Monza goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio, but the Italian rejected the Reds' advances.

Liverpool reportedly tried and failed to hijack a move for a Juventus-bound goalkeeper amid uncertainty over two of their shot-stoppers.

Formerly on the books at Inter Milan, Michele Di Gregorio has since made a name for himself with Serie A upstarts Monza, who originally signed him on loan for the 2020-21 campaign.

Di Gregorio immediately found his feet at Monza, playing a significant role in their promotion from Serie B in the 2021-22 season with 15 clean sheets in that second-tier campaign.

Rather than return to Inter Milan, who prioritised the signing of Andre Onana, the 26-year-old joined Monza permanently for just £3.5m and has continued to excel in the top flight of Italian football.

The 2023-24 season saw Di Gregorio keep 14 clean sheets and concede just 35 goals in 33 top-flight appearances, as well as making a league-high 122 saves, although his rise to prominence has not extended to a senior Italy debut.

Monza's Michele Di Gregorio pictured in May 2024 © Reuters

Di Gregorio 'rejects Liverpool' ahead of Juventus move

Nevertheless, top clubs have started to take note of Di Gregorio, who is under contract at Monza until the summer of 2027, but a summer departure is viewed as inevitable.

Juventus - who are planning for life after Wojciech Szczesny - have been making great strides in their efforts to sign the Italian, and a deal is now believed to be imminent.

However, according to Tuttosport - via Sport Witness - Liverpool made a last-ditch attempt to try to convince Di Gregorio to move to Anfield instead by offering him a more lucrative wage packet.

The Reds' transfer offer to Monza was supposedly more than Juventus put on the table too, but both player and club rebuffed Liverpool's advances, as Di Gregorio has his heart set on joining Juventus.

Furthermore, Monza CEO Adriano Galliani apparently does not want to break the transfer promise he made to Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli, and it is now just a matter of time before Di Gregorio is confirmed as a Juventus player.

Liverpool could lose two goalkeepers this summer

Liverpool's Caoimhin Kelleher pictured during the warm-up on July 30, 2023 © Reuters

Liverpool's failed hijack means that the Reds must scope out alternative solutions in between the sticks, as Arne Slot could potentially see two goalkeepers depart before his debut season gets underway.

Alisson Becker is expected to stay put despite reports of interest from Saudi Arabia, but second-choice Caoimhin Kelleher and third-choice Adrian are both facing uncertain futures on Merseyside.

The former is thought to be desperate to leave in search of regular first-team opportunities elsewhere, and a move to Celtic as Joe Hart's successor has been strongly mooted.

Meanwhile, Adrian is out of contract at the end of the month and has confirmed his desire to return to Spain, although Liverpool recently confirmed that he had been offered a new contract.

In terms of potential replacements to serve as backup to Alisson, Liverpool have apparently been keeping an eye on Athletico Paranaense's Bento, while Sunderland's Anthony Patterson is also of interest.