Juventus Targets Thomas Partey As Potential Replacement For Former United Player

According to reports, Juventus is contemplating Thomas Partey, a midfielder for Arsenal, to replace Paul Pogba, who has been provisionally barred from professional soccer after a regular drug test discovered excessive amounts of testosterone in his system. The French midfielder can get a four-year ban if he is found guilty of doping.

The Drug Test

After Juventus' 3-0 win over Udinese on August 20, 2023, a drug test was conducted. Concerns were raised after Pogba, who had been a substitute but not utilized during the game, was randomly chosen for post-match drug screening, which subsequently raised concerns due to the presence of elevated testosterone levels. Juve issued a statement on September 11, 2023, confirming the National Anti-Doping Tribunal's precautionary ban order against Paul Labile Pogba.

The statement read,

“Juventus Football Club announces that today, 11 September, 2023, the footballer Paul Labile Pogba received a precautionary suspension order from the National Anti-Doping Tribunal following the results of tests carried out on 20 August, 2023. The club reserves the right to consider the next procedural steps.”

Pogba's Situation

Pogba had previously refuted the charges against him and promised to cooperate with the authorities in their investigation. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="573"] Paul Pogba.[/caption] In spite of this, Paul Pogba reportedly revealed to Juventus that he took certain food supplements not realizing they contained testosterone, which resulted to his positive drug test and provisional four-year ban.

Juventus' Interest in Partey

Juventus has been interested in Thomas Partey for some time now, and they attempted to sign him from Arsenal in the summer, but the transfer fell off. Partey, meanwhile, is on the Bianconeri's shortlist as a potential replacement for Pogba, whose future at Juventus is becoming increasingly questionable. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="686"] Thomas Partey. | Credit: ProShots[/caption] The Gunners are apparently willing to let the 30-year-old Partey leave the Emirates, and the Italian publication Calciomercato claims that Juventus is interested in signing him.

Partey's Potential Role With Juventus

Partey is an adaptable midfielder who can fill in at right back, center midfield, or as a defensive midfielder. Since his 2020 transfer to Arsenal, he has become an integral part of the team, starting 75 games and scoring six goals. If he joins Juventus, he will most likely be a valuable addition, giving the Bianconeri a formidable presence in midfield.