One or maybe two new midfielders could arrive at Juventus before the transfer window closes. This is now the priority for the bianconeri before August 31. With the (hopefully) imminent sales of Hernanes, Pereyra and Lemina, plus the injuries to Marchisio and Khedira, we now take a look at the shortlist of potential candidates.
 

BLAISE MATUIDI (PSG) – 50%: The 29-year-old’s stock is rising and PSG look to be open to a possible sale. With a contract in the French capital until 2018, Matuidi’s transfer fee would be somewhere in the region of €25-30 million. At this moment, he remains in pole-position.  

LUIS GUSTAVO (WOLFSBURG) – 25%: Juventus has a verbal agreement with the player for a four-year contract; unfortunately, they are not willing to pay the €32 million buy-out clause in the 29-year-old’s current deal with Wolfsburg. Marotta is looking for an initial loan-deal followed by an eventual fee of no more than €25 million. Gustavo has a contract at the club until 2018.
 

AXEL WITSEL (ZENIT) – 20%: with a contract that expires in Russia in 2017, Juventus should be in the box seat when it comes to signing Belgian international Witsel. Juve don’t want to spend any more than €18 million compared to the €25 million asking price and so far, the player himself has not committed himself to any club for next season; its stalemate at present.  

NEMANJA MATIC (CHELSEA) – 3%: His price at the bookmakes is on the slide after an impressive display alongside new signing Kante in last night’s friendly against Milan. New Blues boss Antonio Conte is keen that the Serbian stays in West London and with a contract until 2019, plus a transfer fee of at least €35 million, the track is very difficult.
 

RODRIGO BENTACUR (BOCA JUNIORS) – 2%: when the bianconeri sold Carlos Tevez to Boca in 2015 an agreement was put in place that Juve could take 19-year-old Rodrigo Bentacur for €9.4 million up until April 20 2017. The young Uruguayan would only really represent a stop-gap and will only be used if other avenues are cut-off.  

LUCAS BIGLIA (LAZIO) - 1%: The Argentine has been in the mirror for some time but now looks to be on the verge of a contract renewal in the capital, ending any speculation about his future.
 

Whoever does arrive over the next few weeks will have huge shoes to fill. Indeed, none of the players listed could replace Pogba and his natural heir has already arrived in the shape of Miralem Pjanic. Any new personnel will be seen as cover for Marchisio and Khedira.


Original article by Gianluca Minchiotti. Adapted and translated by Steve Mitchell