Juventus show interest in Mainz captain Silvan Widmer | OneFootball

Italy’s Gazetta della Sport reports that Juventus may be interested in bringing Mainz 05 captain Silvan Widmer back to the Serie A. Widmer has been captaining his Bundesliga side since previous Mainz head coach Bo Svensson handed him the armband ahead of the 2022/23 season. The Swiss international has nevertheless played less of a role for the Rheinhessen in the two league campaigns since.

Current Mainz head coach Bo Henriksen has always been quick to both praise and turn to Widmer whenever needed during his 18-month-tenure with the club. Henriksen still handed the 32-year-old only three league starts last season. On no occasion did Widmer go the full 90 minutes for the Nullfünfter. The right fullback/wingback was used 24 times off the bench.

Widmer enters the final year of his Mainz contract. Despite the player’s stated enthusiasm for working with his current club in Europe next season, a move would make sense for both sides. Mainz appear prepared to cope with Anthony Caci’s departure by installing Nicolas Veratschnig a trial at Widmer’s position. Henriksen may also seek to name his own skipper ahead of the new season.

Widmer enjoyed some of the finest years of his career playing for Udinese Calcio in the Serie A between 2013 and 2018. Mainz could easily pocket €1-2m for the man they once paid Basel €2.5m for. The Italian source references only loose enquires from Juventus at this juncture, but the strong logic accompanying a potential move may cause matters to move quickly.

GGFN | Peter Weis