Juventus' CEO: Evra taking time to consider future
Patrice Evra was not selected for Sunday's match against Bologna so he could take time "to reflect" on his future at Juventus, according to the club's CEO.
The 35-year-old didn't appear on the team sheet for Juventus' 3-1 victory amid reports of a potential return to Manchester United.
Italian media also believe La Liga struggler Valencia is interested in signing the five-time Premier League champion.
"Evra is still with us. He was not called up by mutual agreement, as he is considering his future," CEO and club director Giuseppe Marotta told Mediaset, as reported by the Guardian. "It's only right he's taking a moment to reflect, as his contract will expire in June."
Marotta noted, should Evra leave the Bianconeri in January, they would not bring in a replacement.
But Evra would deprive Juventus of a veteran presence, even if he is no longer the same athletic player that bolted up and down the left flank. He looked particularly slow in the year-end Supercoppa Italiana, in which he failed to cope with the pace of AC Milan counterpart Suso.
Playing time is another issue. The Frenchman started all six of Juventus' Champions League matches this season, but only managed three Serie A nods.
Evra joined Juventus from United in 2014 for a nominal £1.5-million fee. He signed a contract extension with the Serie A champion last summer.