Juventus eyeing Godín and Bernat as attention turns to defence
After landing Cristiano Ronaldo, the Italian champions are now eager to strengthen at the back with the Atlético and Bayern Munich defenders.
After completing the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid, Juventus have now turned their attention to their back four and are eyeing a couple more big signings as they prepare for a Champions League title tilt in 2018-19.
The arrival of Ronaldo is a huge step towards sitting atop the European throne again for the first time since 1996 after the disappointment of losing in the final in 2015 and 2017, but Juve also require a bit of a rebuild in defence.
Daniele Rugani is expected to join Chelsea, Medhi Benatia is stalling on a new contract, Alex Sandro is the subject of interest from PSG and the Premier League, Stephan Lichtsteiner has signed for Arsenal, Kwadwo Asamoah has departed for Inter and Benedikt Höwedes has returned to Schalke after his loan.
Juve have recovered Mattia Caldara from Atalanta and have signed Giangiacomo Magnani from Peruggia but the Serie A champions are said to be plotting moves for two bigger names to reinforce: Diego Godín and Juan Bernat.
Juve keen to pre-empt defensive departures
The Atlético Madrid and Bayern Munich defenders are one and two on Massimiliano Allegri's shopping list, according to Tuttosport. Juve have been tracking Stefan Savic since 2015 and he remains an option but his teammate Godín is viewed as a more solid option. The Uruguay defender is regarded as one of the best in the world in his position and performed well at the World Cup. He is also out of contract at the Metropolitano next summer and at 32 years old Juve are confident they can snap him up for a reasonable fee.
Left-back is a more problematic area for the Italian club after the departure of Asamoah, leaving Sandro as the only senior player in that position. Should he decide to leave, a ready-made replacement will be needed and Bernat, who has struggled to make the position his own at Bayern Munich, is the primary target.
