Pape Matar Sarr has joined Juventus on loan from Tottenham Hotspur on deadline day.

The initial loan, which has cost the Old Lady €2.8 million, contains an obligatory buy clause if two conditions are met: if Juve qualify for either the Champions League or the Europa League, and Sarr features in 50% of the games available to him, then the move will be made permanent for €27.5 million.

Sarr’s arrival marks a bittersweet moment for the Bianconeri, who were looking to bolster their midfield with someone more reliable. They were keen on bringing Franck Kessié back to Serie A, and while he has returned to Italy, he has chosen to do so with a second stint at Atalanta.

Nevertheless, in Sarr they have an extra pair of legs that they are going to need throughout the season. With over a 100 Premier League appearances under his belt and over 40 senior caps for Senegal, the 23-year-old boasts quite the experience. The former Metz man was highly regarded throughout his time in North London, though he spent the summer looking for a move away, having had little game time towards the back end of last season after he returned from his shoulder injury and having been pushed further down the pecking order after the arrivals of Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.

At Juve, Sarr is hardly going to be the first name on the team sheet either. In return, Juve cannot expect from him the level of control in the middle of the pitch Kessié would have reliably delivered. But here they have made a low-risk deal that could work out for all parties.

The Congolese has made a name for himself as a versatile midfielder capable of playing both advanced and deep roles, though he works best as a No. 8. While his press-resistance has been questioned frequently, his movement, positioning, and pressing have been praised throughout his time at Metz and Spurs. The fact that he earned his place in Ange Postecoglou’s line-up in the Premier League showcases he is a midfielder more than capable of thriving in high-intensity games.

In Serie A, where the tempo is slower and the game is more cerebral, he will have the chance to work on his shortcomings while showcasing his many strengths. Luciano Spalletti could give him ample opportunities, at least in the first half of the season, to prove his worth and showcase his ability to improve his game. All in all, whether Sarr will remain and thrive at Juve will become clear well before the business end of this season.