Filip Kostic will undergo his medical with Juventus today and Lorenzo Bettoni looks at the reasons why the Bianconeri need the Serbia international.
The 29-year-old is set to join the Serie A giants on a permanent €17m transfer from Eintracht Frankfurt where he scored 33 goals and delivered 64 assists in 171 games, winning the Europa League last season.
Kostic is a natural left winger who can also play as a left wing-back in a five-man midfield. This is one of the uses that Max Allegri could make of his new reinforcement on the flanks.
At some point during their 4-0 loss to Atletico Madrid last week, the Tuscan tactician switched to a three-man defence with five midfielders and two strikers.
Max’s mentor Giovanni Galeone has also confirmed that Allegri may soon change his classic four-man defensive system to add one more player in midfield and protect the team more.
Kostic will likely be available straight from the official start of the season against Sassuolo on Monday and is already tipped to start over Alex Sandro. The Brazilian had a tough pre-season following – at least – a couple of years where he has been the shadow of his former self.
Kostic can also play higher up the pitch too, joining the attacking trio up front. Dusan Vlahovic and Angel Di Maria (or Juan Cuadrado) will often play alongside Kostic in the first part of the season as Federico Chiesa continues his recovery.
As stated by Max Allegri in July, the Italy international may return to action in October but will only be at his best from the start of the new year.
Kostic will bolster Allegri’s options in attack while waiting for Chiesa’s return and be a key tactical weapon if the Tuscan boss decides to change his system, picking a three-man backline.
The number of assists and the quality he has shown during his time in Germany seem to prove Kostic will be a smart signing for Juventus, although Allegri is aware that he is not the only piece he needs to complete the team.