Juventus have decided to terminate the contracts of striker Gonzalo Higuain and midfielder Sami Khedira ahead of the 2020/21 season.
Higuain, who recently revealed he may play in Major League Soccer before retiring, spent 2018/19 at two separate clubs – Milan and Chelsea – before returning to Turin to play for old Napoli. has spent the season on loan. Manager Maurizio Sarri.
Higuain had his worst season in front of goal since his early Real Madrid days / Jonathan Mascroup / Getty Images
Khedira impressed during his first three seasons with Juve following his move from Real Madrid in 2015, but recent years have seen the World Cup winner plagued by injuries. The 33-year-old has made just 22 Serie A appearances over the past two campaigns.
Now, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that neither player will be part of Andrea Pirlo’s plans for the Serie A side. Payments are still being negotiated for the remainder of their contracts, both of which still have a year left.
Higuain started 20 league games under Sarri last season, returning eight goals and four assists, while Khedira has fallen firmly behind the likes of Rodrigo Bentenker, Adrien Rabiot and even Aaron Ramsey, himself out of injury. The victim was in the campaign.
With Matuidi’s contract with Inter Miami completed on a free transfer, Juventus have also decided to terminate the contracts of Higuain and Khedira. They are out of the Pirlo project.
Negotiations to find an agreement on payment (both still have 1 year left on their contract with Juve). ⚪️⚫️ #Transfer #Juve
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 21, 2020
Blaise Matuidi’s departure to Inter Miami was recently confirmed, while Arthur has been drafted in from Barcelona to replace aging midfielder Miralem Pjanic.
Higuain’s effectiveness waned as Juve opted to keep Cristiano Ronaldo’s power up front – often to their own detriment, although the Portugal legend ended the season with 31 league goals.
Pirlo was announced as Sarri’s successor in early August / Claudio Lavinia/Getty Images
Juve will be going for a tenth consecutive Serie A title next season, although that may be a tougher proposition than in recent years. Lazio ran them close but failed to capitalize on La Vecchio Signora’s slip-ups and expect a stiff challenge from Inter, while Atalanta could also have designs on the title after finishing third.