Italy's forward #19 Mateo Retegui (L) fights for the ball with Croatia's defender #06 Josip Sutalo (R) during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Croatia and Italy at the Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig on June 24, 2024. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)
Italy's forward #19 Mateo Retegui (L) fights for the ball with Croatia's defender #06 Josip Sutalo (R) during the UEFA Euro 2024 Group B football match between Croatia and Italy at the Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig on June 24, 2024. (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP) (Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS/AFP via Getty Images)

Having lost Jean-Clair Todibo to West Ham United, Juventus are now turning towards Ajax defender Josip Sutalo, with Daniele Rugani a potentially helpful element.

The Bianconeri had agreed personal terms with Todibo weeks ago, but their refusal to go beyond a €5m loan with €30m option to buy proved disastrous.

Instead, West Ham swooped in offering €40m and a 10 per cent cut of the sell-on fee, getting the all-clear from both OGC Nice and the player last night, so he is having a medical today.

Sutalo on Juventus radar

Now Juve have to look elsewhere for a defender and the main candidate seems to be Sutalo, whose asking price is €15m.

The 24-year-old Croatia international has also been linked with Bologna and Fiorentina, but Juve would be the favourites for his signature.

This is also because Juventus are in talks with Ajax anyway for Rugani, who is wanted by new coach Francesco Farioli.

That was meant to be a loan, but could end up being part of the deal for Sutalo too.

A product of the Dinamo Zagreb youth academy, the 24-year-old was sold to Ajax for €20.5m last summer.

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