Juventus are gearing up to make a move for Udinese talent Lazar Samardzic in January, needing to bolster their midfield following off-pitch concerns.
The Bianconeri cannot count on midfielders Paul Pogba and Nicolo Fagioli, with the former sidelined after failing a doping test and the latter banned for seven months after admitting to placing illegal bets.
Samardzic was only a step away from joining Inter in the summer transfer window but things suddenly collapsed at the final hurdle, leaving the 21-year-old with Udinese, who have started the season in disastrous form.
Page six of today’s Tuttosport details how Juventus director Cristiano Giuntoli has identified Samardzic as the top option to strengthen Massimiliano Allegri’s midfield in the January transfer window.
The Bianconeri are aiming to sign the German-born talent on a loan deal with a permanence clause attached, a deal worth around €30m total.
Juventus have already prepared a four-and-a-half-year contract for Serbia international Samardzic, worth around €1.5m net per season, triple his current wages at Udinese.