Juventus agree season-long loan for Michele Di Gregorio to Bournemouth

Juventus have reached an agreement with Bournemouth for goalkeeper Michele Di Gregorio to join the Premier League club on loan for one season, according to Sky Sport Italia.

The deal is understood to include an option for Bournemouth to sign the 29-year-old permanently for 14m euros at the end of the loan spell.

Di Gregorio has fallen out of favour at Juventus following a series of errors last season, with further mistakes reportedly occurring during the club’s preparations for the new campaign. The Italian goalkeeper is therefore set to leave the Juventus squad as the club reshapes its options in goal.

Juventus have also brought in Guglielmo Vicario from Tottenham on loan, a move which has further reduced Di Gregorio’s prospects of remaining with the Serie A side.

Di Gregorio joined Juventus from fellow Italian club Monza two seasons ago. During his time with the Turin club, he has made 84 appearances, conceding 84 goals and keeping 36 clean sheets.

His proposed move would give Bournemouth another goalkeeper after the club’s recent changes in that position. Alex Paulsen has joined Motherwell on loan, while Christos Mandas’ loan spell from Lazio has ended.

Djordje Petrovic is expected to start in goal for Bournemouth when they begin their campaign against Manchester City at Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The match represents a difficult opening fixture for Bournemouth, who are preparing for a season that will also include European football.

Bournemouth qualified for the Europa League after finishing sixth in the Premier League last season. The club are now seeking additional depth in goal, with Di Gregorio set to provide competition and cover should the transfer be completed as expected.

Juventus, meanwhile, are preparing to start their season against newly promoted Frosinone. Frosinone have recently signed Omar Fayed from Turkish club Fenerbahce.

The agreement between Juventus and Bournemouth would initially see Di Gregorio spend the full season in England, with Bournemouth retaining the option to make the transfer permanent for the agreed fee. The arrangement would allow Juventus to move on from a goalkeeper who has not convinced the club during a period in which his performances have come under scrutiny.

For Bournemouth, the move would address an immediate need created by the departures of Paulsen and Mandas. The club are set to face a demanding schedule, with domestic competition and the Europa League both forming part of their programme after their sixth-place Premier League finish.

Di Gregorio’s future has consequently become one of the latest pieces of business involving both clubs before the start of their respective campaigns. His expected arrival at Bournemouth would bring an experienced Italian goalkeeper to the Premier League, while Juventus would retain the possibility of receiving 14m euros if the English club decide to activate the purchase option next summer.