Juventus advances talks to sign Jeff Ekhator from Genoa in player swap

Juventus is making a serious push to land one of Italian football’s more intriguing young strikers. The Turin club is in active talks with Genoa to acquire Jeff Ekhator, a 19-year-old forward, in a deal that would send two Juventus prospects the other way along with a cash component of around €15 million.

Juventus CEO Giovanni Carnevali confirmed the negotiations on June 29, 2026, describing discussions centered on youth talent exchanges between the two clubs. The relationship between Juventus and Genoa is reportedly positive, which has kept the conversation moving forward.

Who is Jeff Ekhator

Born on November 11, 2006, Ekhator is contracted to Genoa through 2028, with an option to extend to 2029. He has made 54 professional appearances for Genoa. On the international stage, he has earned 11 caps for the Italy under-19 national team, contributing 3 goals. Juventus has been monitoring him since at least March 2025.

The proposed structure of the deal involves Juventus sending David Puczka and Giovanni Daffara to Genoa as part of the swap. Both are Juventus academy products, and their inclusion brings down the cash outlay for Juventus while giving Genoa young talent to develop within their own system.

What to watch as negotiations continue

No finalized agreement has been announced as of the latest updates from June 29-30, 2026. Ekhator is contracted through 2028, so Genoa holds leverage and any final figure will need to reflect that. The overall package of cash plus players must meet what Genoa considers fair value for a prospect they have developed and given 54 professional appearances.

The inclusion of Carnevali’s public confirmation is itself a signal. When executives confirm negotiations publicly, it typically means both sides are past the exploratory phase and into genuine deal-making.

Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.