Juventus had a gruelling match on Wednesday against Galatasaray in the second leg of their round of 32 fixture. The Bianconeri needed to win by three goals at home to force extra time, after an embarrassing 5-2 loss in Turkey. Juventus would manage to turn it around, thanks to goal for Manuel Locatelli, Federico Gatti and Weston Mckennie.

Extra time was forced, but this is where Juventus loss the game, mainly due to lack of energy. This came as thew Bianconeri were down to 10 men, due to a controversial second yellow card for Lloyd Kelly. However, despite the loss most of the talks were on Juventus top performance mainly thanks to Manuel Locatelli, who had the highest Fotmob rating at 9.0.

Turin, Italy Manuel Locatelli of Juventus Fc looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between…

This has come in a top run of form for Locatelli across this season. Locatelli has regularly stepped up for Juventus with huge goals against Inter Milan a few weeks ago, and a penalty against Venezia to send Juventus into the Champions League for this season. This good form hasn’t gone unnoticed for Luciano Spalletti and Juventus board.

This comes as Juventus are looking to tie up contract extension soon. Juventus have already completed a deal to keep Kenan Yildiz at the club, and are looking to do the same for Weston Mckennie soon. There is also a talks for Luciano Spalletti to get an extended deal to stay with Juventus past this season, Locatelli will get the same treatment.

This comes from a report from Nico Schira exclusively today on X. Schira reports that Juventus are set to offer Locatelli a new contract to keep him with Juventus. Locatelli’s new deal would keep him in Turin until 2030, keeping Locatelli with Juventus until he is 32, and likely most of his European career.

Juventus have looked to turn around their fortunes after hiring Luciano Spalletti. They have done so in spells winning big games against Napoli and Benfica in the Champions League in his tenure. However, their has also been some bad losses like against Inter or Galatasaray away.

However, in his whole time in Turin, there has been two crucial players for Spalletti. Firstly their is Kenan Yildiz, who recently signed a contract extension with Juventus until 2030. Weston Mckennie has also been crucial to Spalletti’s plan as his versatility has given Spalletti freedom.

Kenan Yildiz of Juventus Fc celebrates with Weston Mckennie of Juventus Fc after scoring a goal during the Serie A football match between Juventus Fc…

However, Mckennies future in Turin was uncertain as he had an expiring contract. However, Gazzetta Dello Sport is now reporting that it is now handled, with Mckennie agreeing on a deal with Juventus. This will see a new deal for Mckennie to keep him in Turin until 2030.

This deal is also set to come with an increase on salary according to Nico Schira on X, who is also reporting the deal is done. This will take Mckennie’s pay to 4.2 million euros per season. This is one million more than Mckennies last deal something which has been earnt due to his top form.

Juventus also had their hand forced into giving Mckennie this improved deal as they ran the risk of losing him. Other Italian teams like Inter Milan, AC Milan and Roma where all ready to pounce for the American. This to go along with all the other European and American teams interested in Mckennie.

Inter Milan have been the top team in Serie A this season. This has lead to them sitting seven points clear at the top, despite the competitiveness of this season. While a strong defence has been vital for this, the main boost from last season is their ability to score goals.

This comes as Marcus Thuram has taken a step back from scoring goals, has he has been linked to a big European move. Of course Lautaro Martinez has taken a step forward so far this season. But Inter’s main improvement has come from the bench with Ange Yoan Bonny and Pio Esposito.

Marcus Thuram looks on during the Inter Milan and Juventus Turn Matchday 25 of the Serie A at San Siro on February 14, 2026 in Milan, Italy.

While Ange Yoan Bonny, has been a good signing for Inter the main step up has been from Pio Esposito. Pio rejoined Inter from his loan at Spezia last season, and has stepped up hugely. So far this season Pio has eight goals and five assists this season, which hasn’t gone unnoticed.

This has lead to Arsenal trying to make a move to sign Pio Esposito in the summer. However, according to CalcioMercatoIT, Inter don’t plan on letting it happen anytime soon. Inter could offer a new deal to Esposito to try and keep him in Milan for his long-term future.

Inter will give Esposito a deal until 2031, to try and convince him to stay in Milan. However, this won’t be the only incentive as Esposito will also receive a pay rise. Currently, Esposito earns 1.1 million euros this season which will be increased to 3 million per season in the new deal.