A Dutch wonderkid signed by Juventus for R105 million on the last day of the previous transfer window has gone AWOL amid rumours he is considering retirement from football despite still being a teenager.
On the final day of the latest transfer window, the Bianconeri announced the arrival of talented Dutch midfielder Mohamed Ihattaren, 19, who was immediately loaned out to Sampdoria.
The promising playmaker joined the Italian giants after making an impressive 74 senior appearances for PSV Eindhoven, for whom he contributed to 21 goals in all competitions following his breakthrough into the first team.
Despite his potential and the excitement that followed his move to Juve and subsequent loan transfer to Sampdoria, Ihattaren has not yet played a single minute in Italy.
In fact, several concerning reports have suggested that the skilled youngster has not been seen in Genoa and that his current whereabouts are unknown – he was said to have returned to the Netherlands but he has not been seen in the city he is from.
According to Italian publication CalcioMercato, he is battling with depression following the passing of his father in 2019, and is even considering retirement from football due to the state of his mental health.
Dutch newspaper Algemeen Dagblad, meanwhile, stated that things rapidly changed for the player after his dad passed away due to cancer as he was someone who was "strict" and could make important "decisions" on behalf of his son.
Ihattaren has been widely tipped to be one of the best young players to come out of the Netherlands in recent years, with the teenager capped 30 times for his country at youth level.