The recent injury to midfielder Claudio Marchisio has altered the transfer strategy at Juventus. As well as bringing in an attack minded midfielder, coach Allegri now seeks some added protection in front of his defence. But the bianconeri don’t want just any old midfielder, they want one with Champions League experience.
 

The latest name to be linked with the club comes from Spain with Marotta and Parici presenting an offer to Barcelona for Argentine star Javier Mascherano. The 31-year-old is considering finishing his career in Spain this summer and starting a new one in Serie A after having recently rejected a move to China. The only stumbling block for potential buyres is the €100 million buy-out clause the Catalan giants have imposed on their player whose contract expires in 2019. Juventus however, can count on the help of Mascherano who is thought to be attracted by a move to Turin.  

Having spent most of his career as a defensive midfielder, Barca coach Luis Enrique has recently deployed him more as a central defender and it’s this versatility that particularly attracts Juventus; the Argentine could act as replacement for Marchisio or be just as comfortable in a back-three. With the imminent departure of Martin Caceres, Allegri could get a player who can operate in two roles.


Steve Mitchell @barafundler