How Juventus could line up with En-Nesyri and how David’s role changes | OneFootball

Juventus are closing in on an agreement for Fenerbahce striker Youssef En-Nesyri, but how does Luciano Spalletti intend to use the Morocco international and how does his signing affect Jonathan David’s role in the Bianconeri set-up?

According to reports on Thursday evening, Juventus have an agreement in place with Fenerbahce on an initial loan deal at €5m plus an option to buy for a further €22m including bonuses.

Juventus are still awaiting the final approval from the player himself, but are increasingly confident that a deal will be wrapped up after face-to-face talks with sporting director Marco Ottolini on Friday.

ISTANBUL, TURKEY – MARCH 2: Youssef En-Nesyri of Fenerbahce celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during the Turkish Super League match between Fenerbahce and Antalyaspor at Ulker Sukru Saracoglu Stadium on March 2, 2025 in Istanbul, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

The expected arrival of En-Nesyri will provide Spalletti with a full complement of centre-forwards.

The Old Lady already have David, Dusan Vlahovic, Lois Openda and Arkadiusz Milik on their books. The issue is that Vlahovic is out with a long-term injury, Milik has hardly played any football over the last two years, while David and Openda do not bring the ‘traditional’ no.9 profile that Spalletti desires.

What En-Nesyri is expected to Juventus is clinical finishing within the area and also an aerial prowess that the Bianconeri do not currently have in their armoury. A bit like the injured Vlahovic, En-Nesyri is also capable of holding the ball up and linking play, a quality that is seen less often with David and Openda.

Signing En-Nesyri does not necessarily mean the end of David’s days in the Juventus line-up, though.

BOLOGNA, ITALY – DECEMBER 14: Jonathan David of Juventus during the Serie A match between Bologna FC 1909 and Juventus FC at Renato Dall’Ara Stadium on December 14, 2025 in Bologna, Italy. (Photo by Alessandro Sabattini/Getty Images)

The Canada international is capable of playing in multiple roles, including as a second striker, which gives Spalletti another tactical option should he be tempted to try a two-up-top system.

David could also feasibly play alongside Kenan Yildiz, behind En-Nesyri in the 3-4-2-1 shape that Spalletti has often used since taking over at the end of October. David could also be used behind En-Nesyri in the 4-2-3-1 system that Spalletti has used most recently.

Possible Juventus line-ups with En-Nesyri

(3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; David, Yildiz; En-Nesyri.

(4-2-3-1): Di Gregroio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly, Cambiaso; Locatelli, Thuram; McKennie, David/Miretti, Yildiz; En-Nesyri.