Juventus coach Massimilaino Allegri wants to sign a playmaker, and has identified Real Madrid’s Isco and Oscar of Chelsea as his preferred targets.
– Interview: Lionel Messi – Childhood memories in his own words
– Copa America: Paraguay stun Brazil with shootout win
– #360view: Ryan Babel can shine in the AGL with Al Ain
– Tevez: Argentina star returns to homeclub Boca Juniors
The Champions League finalists have been busy so far this summer bringing in midfielders Sami Khedira and Roberto Pereyra as well as strikers Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic for a total outlay of €65 million (Dh262m).
However, equally Allegri has witnessed the departure of Carlos Tevez while Andrea Pirlo is set to sign an 18-month contract with New York City this week.
Mandzukic and Dybala represent ample cover for Tevez but it’s the loss of Pirlo which perhaps hits the Bianconeri the hardest.
The veteran Italian has been so integral to how Juve play over the last three seasons and Allegri must find a suitable replacement.
ON THIS TRANSFER DAY: In 2013, Isco joined Real Madrid from Malaga for a reported fee of £23m. Worth every penny. pic.twitter.com/z0vOO36pDH
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 27, 2015
“I would like a footballing inventor – they are never boring,” Allegri told La Repubblica. “A wildcard in the line-up can bring a different balance to the table.
“Ego in moderate amounts is not harmful to a team’s health. I like Real Madrid’s Isco and Brazil’s Oscar, while among the young Italians there is much to admire in Berardi and Bernardeschi.
“The addition of a No10 to the mix is both a tactical desire and a desire to add ego to my team. Without Carlos Tevez and Andrea Pirlo this coming season, Juve must change and experiment with new ways of working.”
Isco remains a firm favourite at Madrid, however the 23-year-old did suffer a marked decline in form towards the end of last season and his laissez faire attitude to defensive work goes against Rafael Benitez’s pragmatic style.
Likewise, Oscar’s performances tailed off for Premier League champions Chelsea but it would take a sizeable offer to prise the Brazilian away from Stamford Bridge.
On Italian talents Domenico Berardi and Federico Bernardeschi, Juve did co-own the former but relinquished his full rights to Sassuolo.
The 20-year-old, however, remains one of the best young players in Europe and the Bianconeri are expected to buy him back next summer.
Bernardeschi, 21, meanwhile, found first-team opportunities hard to come by at Fiorentina last season and has frequently been linked with an exit away.
