Juventus keen to pinch Atletico captain Koke as clubs discuss Nico Gonzalez deal | OneFootball

Reports in Italy claim that Juventus brought up the possibility of signing Atletico Madrid captain Koke during a recent round of talks with Diego Simeone’s side, and  that the Bianconeri are keen to include the 34-year-old in an exchange deal involving Nico Gonzalez.

Juventus bring up Koke in Nico Gonzalez talks with Atletico Madrid

Juventus’s plans for the summer transfer window went up in the air after the team’s failure to qualify for the Champions League in the final weeks of the 2025-26 Serie A season, and now the Bianconeri are left needing to sell players before bringing in any new big hitters.

Among the players that Juventus are hoping to shift this summer is Nico Gonzalez, who spent the 2025-26 season out on loan with Atletico Madrid.

Nico Gonzalez’s deal with Atletico Madrid included a potential obligation to buy for a fee of €32m, but the Argentine did not play enough league football for that clause to be triggered, which means that he will return to Juventus over the summer.

SEVILLE, SPAIN – APRIL 18: Nicolas Gonzalez of Atletico de Madrid scores his team’s third penalty in the penalty shoot out during the Copa Del Rey Final match between Real Sociedad and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 18, 2026 in Seville, Spain. (Photo by Fran Santiago/Getty Images)

Atleti are still keen to keep Nico Gonzalez on board, but are unwilling to pay the €32m that was written into the loan agreement.

According to reports from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Koke’s name has also come up in discussions between Juventus and Atletico Madrid while discussing the Nico Gonzalez deal.

MADRID, SPAIN – MARCH 22: Koke of Atletico de Madrid gestures during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and Atletico de Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 22, 2026 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Juve are keen to add to their midfield department, and the 34-year-old is described as a natural leader and a ‘player who makes those around him perform better’ as well. The idea would be for him to complement Manuel Locatelli and Khephren Thuram in midfield, and the hope is that this would in turn free up Teun Koopmeiners, who will also be allowed to leave the club this summer.

Juventus are also interested in two other players whose surnames begin with the letter K, namely Kim Min-Jae of Bayern Munich to strengthen their defence and Randal Kolo Muani of PSG to bolster the attack.