Bayern chief: Juventus in 'concrete talks' to sign Douglas Costa
Juventus fans' fears of being roundly trumped in the transfer market by Chinese-backed AC Milan and the spendthrift Premier League will be allayed a little by the anticipated purchase of Douglas Costa.
The Brazilian, 26, failed to hold down a regular starting berth under Carlo Ancelotti last season, resulting in the winger requesting a move from Bayern Munich this summer. His availability quickly alerted Juventus, which is looking to increase options on the left flank after gangly frontman Mario Mandzukic did a commendable job filling in there for a chunk of the 2016-17 campaign.
Now, words from Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge suggest that Costa's unveiling in Turin is imminent.
"The player has communicated to us he would like to leave. I can confirm we're in concrete talks with Juventus," Rummenigge said on Monday. "I'd call the talks positive and very serious, but I can't say it's in effect. There's a certain sum, and when we reach this sum we're ready to finalise."
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
Costa's impending switch to Serie A is set to be the latest in a growing line of deals between the German and Italian giants in recent years. The unofficial affiliation began when Arturo Vidal and Kingsley Coman swapped Juve for Bayern in 2015. Medhi Benatia moved the other way permanently this summer after an initial loan with the Old Lady.
Rummenigge also shed light on how Bayern Munich will conduct business for the rest of the window, with the retired winger indicating the Allianz Arena outfit will favour a patient approach.
"The transfer market will be open for more than another six weeks. I've always said we'd keep all our options open until the last day," he shared. "We've also seen a player sustain an injury at this point of the season so that we were forced to do something."
Bayern is set for a money-spinning tour of Asia in July - where it meets Arsenal, AC Milan, Chelsea, and Inter Milan - before beginning the domestic season with a DFL-Supercup bout against Borussia Dortmund on Aug. 5.