TURIN, Italy — As of Wednesday, February 25, 2026, Juventus goalkeeper Mattia Perin has emerged as a central figure in the club’s turbulent mid-season campaign. The 33-year-old veteran, long considered one of Italy’s most reliable secondary options, is currently navigating a pivotal moment in his career involving high-stakes Champions League appearances and intensifying transfer rumors.
Champions League Start Against Galatasaray
In a significant tactical shift by head coach Luciano Spalletti, Mattia Perin was named the starter for Juventus’s critical Champions League playoff return leg against Galatasaray today. Perin replaced Michele Di Gregorio, who has faced mounting criticism following a series of high-profile errors, including a disappointing 2-0 home loss to Como last weekend. Reports from the Allianz Stadium indicate Juventus held a 1-0 lead at halftime despite being reduced to 10 men, with Perin’s veteran presence seen as vital to stabilizing a defense under pressure.
Transfer Speculation: A Summer Exit Looms?
Despite his current promotion to the starting lineup, Perin’s long-term future in Turin remains highly uncertain. Recent reports from transfer insider Nicolo Schira suggest that the Italian international may depart Juventus during the upcoming summer 2026 transfer window. Key details regarding his potential exit include:
- Search for Regular Minutes: After years of serving primarily as a backup, Perin is reportedly pushing for a move to a club where he can secure a guaranteed starting role.
- Genoa Links: Rumors have intensified regarding a possible return to Genoa, the club where Perin established himself as one of Italy’s elite goalkeepers earlier in his career.
- Contract Status: While his current deal runs until June 2027, Juventus is reportedly bracing for a “total revolution” in their goalkeeping department, with the club linked to ambitious moves for Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario or Liverpool’s Alisson Becker.
Career Profile and 2025/2026 Stats
Born on November 10, 1992, in Latina, Italy, Perin has been a fixture in Serie A for over a decade. Standing 6-foot-2 (188 cm), he joined Juventus in 2018 for a fee of €12 million. During his tenure with the Bianconeri, he has contributed to two Serie A titles (2018–19, 2019–20).
In the current 2025/2026 season, Perin has made 7 appearances, recording 1 clean sheet while conceding 10 goals. His experience is currently being leveraged by Spalletti to navigate what many analysts describe as the most complicated week of the manager’s tenure at Juventus.
The Juventus Goalkeeping Shake-up
The uncertainty surrounding Perin coincides with a broader crisis at the position for Juventus. With Di Gregorio struggling for form and third-choice veteran Carlo Pinsoglio reportedly considering retirement, the club’s management is expected to be highly active in the summer market. Whether Perin remains to fight for the No. 1 shirt or seeks a new challenge elsewhere will likely depend on his performance in the remaining months of the Champions League and Serie A campaigns.