Pape Matar Sarr has completed a deadline-day move to Juventus, joining the Serie A side on loan from Tottenham Hotspur in a deal that could eventually become permanent.
The initial loan has cost Juventus €2.8 million, with an obligatory purchase clause worth €27.5 million. The clause will be activated if Juventus qualifies for either the Champions League or Europa League and Sarr appears in 50% of the matches available to him.
Juventus find midfield depth with Pape Sarr
Sarr’s arrival comes after Juventus had looked to add greater reliability to their midfield. The Bianconeri had been interested in bringing Franck Kessié back to Serie A, but although the midfielder has returned to Italy, he opted for a second spell with Atalanta instead.
That leaves Sarr as another midfield option for a Juventus side that will need additional legs throughout the campaign. The 23-year-old already has more than 100 Premier League appearances and over 40 senior caps for Senegal, giving him a considerable amount of experience despite his age.
The former Metz player had been highly regarded during his time in North London, but he spent the summer seeking a departure. His opportunities had decreased towards the end of last season following his return from a shoulder injury, while the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes pushed him further down the Tottenham pecking order.
Sarr faces competition at Juventus
Moving to Juventus does not necessarily mean Sarr will immediately become a regular starter. The midfielder is unlikely to be the first name on the team sheet, while Juventus also cannot expect him to provide the same level of midfield control that Kessié would have offered.
Even so, the agreement represents a relatively low-risk move that could benefit everyone involved. Juventus gets another option in the middle of the pitch, while Sarr has an opportunity to demonstrate what he can offer in a different environment.
Pape Sarr brings midfield versatility
Sarr has developed a reputation as a flexible midfielder who can operate in both deeper and more advanced positions, although the No. 8 role remains his strongest position.
His ability to resist pressure has often been questioned, but his movement, positioning and pressing have earned praise throughout his spells with Metz and Tottenham. His ability to establish himself in Ange Postecoglou’s Premier League side also underlined his capacity to perform in high-intensity matches.
Serie A gives Sarr room to develop
Serie A could provide Sarr with an opportunity to address some of the weaknesses in his game while making the most of his existing qualities. The slower tempo and more cerebral nature of the Italian league could give him the platform to continue developing as a midfielder.
Luciano Spalletti may have opportunities to use him, particularly during the opening half of the season, allowing Sarr to demonstrate his value and show how much he can improve. Whether that is enough to convince Juventus to keep him permanently should become apparent before the decisive stages of the campaign.