Sassuolo have barred the transfer of Domenico Berardi to Juventus due to an expired deadline.
According to Sassuolo director, Giovanni Carnevali, Juventus reportedly erred after they attempted a move for Berardi without informing Sassuolo.
Futballnews learnt Sassuolo were ready to part ways with the homegrown star after over a decade with the club but had set a deadline of 17 August 2023.
Berardi was also reportedly interested in the move to Juventus but the Old Ladies needed to act fast to beat the deadline set by Sassuolo.
In a quote shared by Football Italia, Giovanni Carnevali confirmed Sassuolo were yet to receive an official bid from Juventus although reports emerged they have contacted the player.
“We’ve never received an official bid,” Giovanni Carnevali said.
Carnevali also added he is “annoyed” with Juventus for making contacts with Berardi’s agent instead of speaking with Sassuolo first. Hence, he has decided to close the door to any possible deal as the set deadline has expired.
According to reports, Giovanni Carnevali’s decision not to entertain talks with Juventus will come as a big blow to the Italian forward who was keen on completing a move to the Serie A giants.
He has been training separately from the main squad in anticipation of the big move but will now have to see through the remaining four years of his contract.
Juventus have been long time admirers of Domenico Berardi. They had once entered into a two-year swap agreement with Sassuolo for the player but chose to retain him on loan at the parent club throughout the two years of the agreement.
Who is Domenico Berardi?
Domenico Berardi is an Italian professional footballer, who plays as a striker for Serie A club, Sassuolo and Italy national team.
Born on 1 August 2023 in Carati, Italy, Berardi started his youth career with Cosenza in 2008. After two years in Cosenza, he joined Sassuolo youth academy in 2010. In 2012, Cosenza was promoted to Sassuolo first team. He made his Sassuolo debut while the club were in Italian second division, Serie B, in August 2012.
In 2013, Berardi was involved in a swap deal between Juventus and Sassuolo. He joined the Serie A giants for €4.5m but was still kept on loan with his parent club for two years from 2013 to 2015 under the terms of the swap deal.
After the expiration of the loan tenure, Sassuolo retained Domenico Berardi permanently as Juventus chose not to draft the Italian into their squad.
Berardi made 37 appearances for Sassuolo, scoring 11 goals after making his senior debut for the club. He made 61 appearances, scoring 31 goals during his loan spell which ended in 2015.
Since 2015, Domenico Berardi has taken his career with Sassuolo to another level, making 236 appearances for the club, and scoring 82 goals.
National team career
Domenico Berardi is still active in Italy national team. He rose through the ranks from Italy U-19 in 2012 where he made 3 appearances with a goal to Italy U-21 in 2013, where he made 23 appearances, scoring 4 goals.
Berardi made his senior debut with Italy national team in 2018 and has won 25 caps, netting 6 goals.
He won 2020 European Championships and 2021 Nations League with the team.
Honours and awards
Domenico Berardi led Sassuolo to 2012/13 Serie B title, earning the team a promotion to Italy’s topflight.
He won Serie B Player of the Year in 2013 and Serie A top assist provider for two seasons in 2014/15 and 2021/22 seasons.
