Juventus are reportedly ready to sign Hertha Berlin’s Josip Simunic in a bid to strengthen their defence.
Bianconeri sporting director Alessio Secco is working hard on the club’s future transfers and is allegedly ready to make an offer to the Bundesliga side, who have valued the 28-year-old at £2.8m.
The Old Lady could offer Simunic a £700,000 a year contract until 2010 and would be happy to net him as early as January if the two clubs can agree terms.
Born in Australia, the former Hamburg man is an accomplished central defender who can also be fielded on the flanks.
And standing at well over six feet tall, the Croatian international is unsurprisingly strong in the air as he has shown in the German League.
Meanwhile, Juventus are still understood to be tracking Palermo and Italy defender Andrea Barzagli (pictured) for next season.
Negotiations between the two clubs are underway even if Rosanero chief Maurizio Zamparini already refused a summer offer of around £8m plus Raffale Palladino for the defender.
It now seems that an agreement may be finalised in the future and the Rosanero have dropped several hints that they would like to see Domenico Criscito included in the deal.
The 19-year-old defender, who is playing in Serie B with Genoa, is part-owned by the Bianconeri who are ready to sacrifice the talented teenager
-channel4.com