Juventus are continuing to look for midfield reinforcements and after missing out on Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic, Corriere dello Sport claims that the bianconeri have now turned their attentions to PSG’s Blaise Matuidi and Zenit St Petersburg’s Axel Witsel. The Serie A champions are about to get a €60 million windfall from the sales of Roberto Pereyra to Watford, Simone Zaza to Wolfsburg and Kingsley Coman to Bayern Munich, who have decided to exercise their right to take the player on a permanent basis.
 

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has fought hard to keep 28-year-old Serbian Matic at Stamford Bridge and his inclusion in Monday’s home win against West Ham suggests that the player is now off the transfer market this summer. PSG are fighting hard to keep hold of Matuidi but Juve’s excellent relations with his agent, Mino Raiola, could tip the balance in their favour. Witsel on the other hand, looked to be staying in Russia for the final year of his contract but this new interest shown by the Old Lady, could tempt the Belgian international to Turin.  

OTHER HEADLINES:
Napoli are chasing Manchester United defender Matteo Darmian (Corriere dello Sport). Reports suggest that after failing to land Milan full-back Mattia De Sciglio, the Red Devils defender is next on the list.


 

Lazio are closing in on FC Rostov defender Bastos (Corriere dello Sport). The 24-year-old Angolan looks set to arrive for €6.5 million.
 

Tuttosport states that Roberto Pereyra’s move to Watford should be completed in the next 24 hours. The 25-year-old Argentine will move to the Premier League for a fee of €16 million.


 

Torino defender Nikola Maksimovic is wanted by West Ham United. The Hammers have already made contact with the player’s representatives (GianlucadiMarzio.com)  

Roma are set to make a move for Fiorentina midfielder Borja Valero (La Repubblica). The 31-year-old Spaniard is unhappy about the Tuscan club’s failure to offer a new contract and a move to the capital could be on the cards.
 

Lazio goalkeeper Federico Marchetti could replace Neto as the new number two at Juventus (Tuttosport). The Brazilian is unhappy at being the understudy to the great Gianluigi Buffon and is looking for a move away.



The agent of Bologna midfielder Amadou Diawara has told Sportitalia that the 18-year-old has had received an offer from Aston Villa. The highly-rated youngster is already being courted by Juventus, Napoli and Roma.


Steve Mitchell @barafundler