Juventus draw up list of midfield targets as they look to replace £89million Paul Pogba
JUVENTUS’ list of midfield targets is growing following the departure of Paul Pogba, according to reports in Italy.
The Frenchman moved to Manchester United for a world-record £89million — leaving a gaping hole in the Italian champions’ midfield.
Blaise Matuidi appears to be Max Allegri’s first-choice, report .
Pogba’s French team-mate looks to have no future under Unai Emery at Paris Saint-Germain, with Grzegorz Krychowiak’s arrival ahead of him in the pecking order.
Powerhouse Matuidi was also Jose Mourinho’s fall-back option, should a return for Pogba prove unsuccessful.
While Antonio Conte was also interested in bringing him to Chelsea until he signed N’Golo Kante from Leicester.
Allegri will continue to monitor Axel Witsel’s situation at Zenit St Petersburg.
The Belgian — who was also a target for Everton — admitted he would see out the final year of his contract with the Russian.
The Toffees agreed a £25.1m deal with Zenit to sign Witsel.
However, he rejected the offer in favour of a potential move to Turin.
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Juventus believe they could get their man if they match Everton’s bid, but don’t want to go so high for a player who only has one year left on his contract.
Marcelo Brozovic — who scored two for Inter Milan in their 3-0 Coppa Italia semi-final second leg victory over Allegri’s men — remains another option.
However, the San Siro giants are reluctant to sell the Croatian to a direct Serie A rival.
Allegri may invest in youth following the success of Pogba.
Juventus signed the Frenchman on a free transfer from United as a 19-year-old in 2012.
He established himself as one of the game’s leading midfielders and was sold on for a world-record fee.
Anderlecht sensation, Youri Tielemans, could be an option for Allegri.
The 19-year-old Belgian has already made over 100 league appearances and was reportedly watched by 13 Premier League teams during one match last season.
He made his Champions League debut at 16 and was called up to the national team for their 1-0 Euro 2016 qualifying defeat to Wales.
Tielemans is also being tipped to take over the Anderlecht captaincy after Steven Defour left for Burnley.
Bologna’s highly-rated Amadou Diawara — also 19 — is another target.