Juventus are evaluating whether to go for Edin Dzeko from Roma or Barcelona striker Luis Suarez.
According to Sky Sport Italia, new coach Andrea Pirlo wants a centre-forward and the race is down to just two very different names.
Dzeko already knows Serie A and would be a much cheaper option, but it’s reported he will meet with Roma directors tomorrow to discuss whether he intends to remain at the Stadio Olimpico or request a transfer.
On the other hand, Suarez is a world-renowned name with plenty of Champions League experience and could sell a lot of shirts.
The Uruguay international is negotiating a termination by mutual consent with Barcelona, who have already told him that he’s not part of their plans going forward.
There would be no transfer fee, but Suarez does command €12m per season wages, which would be a real weight on the Juventus finances.
Suarez is also a year younger than Dzeko and a more prestigious addition to the roster.
This report follows Spanish papers Sport and AS, who both claimed earlier today that Suarez was in negotiations with Juventus.
The Bianconeri seem to have given up on Arkadiusz Milik, put off by Napoli’s €50m asking price.
Instead, Roma see Milik as the ideal replacement should Dzeko leave this summer.
#NobleSports…
“So, what is not good for the rival, in theory is for good for the other. But I don’t like it. I never liked it when it happens to any team.”I have always said Barcelona is a very big team. It is not an enemy. I have always had a great relationship with the presidents and the board I met.”I was always well-treated there and I tried to do the same with the ones who came to our stadium. It is clear Barcelona is in a tough time, but hopefully they will overcome it.”It is not good to have such a big team [in a situation] like this and I am sure they will overcome the situation. And even if it is for good for Real Madrid in some aspects, I don’t like it.”I wish them to fix it and keep giving glory to Spanish football. I wish them to keep competing and winning titles, when they don’t face Real Madrid, obviously.”
Messi remains locked in an unsavoury stand-off with the club he has represented for the whole of his career. He has asked his representatives to broker a meeting with the Barcelona board in an attempt to ‘avoid a war’ breaking out over his uncertain future.That meeting would be the first time both parties had come together since Messi shocked the football world by informing Barcelona this week that he wants to leave on a free transfer.The club, however, have shown no signs of budging from their steadfast refusal to entertain the prospect of their superstar walking away.Sportsmail understands Messi is firmly focused on a new challenge and wants his representatives to pave the way for his departure.It is this uncertainty that has placed several of Europe’s top clubs firmly on red alert, with Juventus believed to now be among them.The club are said to be hopeful of cutting their hefty wage bill this summer, but the arrival of Messi would underline their intention of becoming the top dogs of the continent once again.Andrea Piro was recently unveiled as Maurizio Sarri’s shock successor and, according to the report from France, has instantly set himself lofty ambitions with Messi at the forefront.
The prospect of partnering the Argentinian icon and Ronaldo, who boast 11 Ballon d’Or gongs between them, would certainly allow Juventus to push towards finally winning the Champions League.Manchester City are still understood to be in pole position to snap up Messi should he leave Barcelona, with Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain also proving attractive propositions.But the process which would allow Messi to move to another club for the first time in his professional career still appears set to be drawn out for a while longer yet.His club insist an exit clause in his contract does not make him a free agent because the deadline passed in June for him to inform them about any wish to leave.The days after Messi’s bombshell admission have been marred by supporters storming the Nou Camp and loudly calling for the under-fire board to resign.
