Massimiliano Allegri’s decision to change to a 4-3-1-2 formation has caused Juventus to reportedly target a playmaker in the transfer market.
Massimiliano Allegri’s decision to change to a 4-3-1-2 formation has caused Juventus to reportedly target a playmaker in the transfer market.
The Bianconeri have played with a 3-5-2 formation almost exclusively for the past three seasons, but changed to a back four for Tuesday’s 3-2 victory over Olympiacos.
Calciomercato.it are now suggesting that a trequartista is the final piece of the Juventus jigsaw and that four names have been identified as possible targets.
The website reports that the Old Lady will predominantly target Xherdan Shaqiri of Bayern Munich or Javier Pastore of Paris Saint-Germain with two young players also on the radar.
Shaqiri has rarely been given a starting spot at Bayern this season, only making three starting appearances between the Bundesliga and Champions League, potentially leaving the Swiss player open to a move.
Similarly, Pastore is seen as having struggled to settle at PSG, and Calciomercato believes the former Palermo player could be available for around €18m.
Should the Bianconeri be rebuffed in their efforts to sign either player, the Turin side could turn to youth.
Dennis Praet of Anderlecht is reportedly highly regarded by the Juventus hierarchy, and would come relatively cheap at less than €10m.
Similarly, Hakan Calhanoglu of Bayer Leverkusen has impressed with five goals in 18 games this season and could be a target for the Serie A champions.