Wesley Sneijder, Xherdan Shaqiri and Hatem Ben Arfa are some of the options available to Juventus in their search for a trequartista.
Juventus boss Max Allegri said yesterday “a trequartista wouldn’t go amiss” while Beppe Marotta declared the Bianconeri would have to find the right opportunity.
Trusted Italian transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio reported that Juventus have been in contact with the agent of Bayern Munich’s Xherdan Shaqiri. The Swiss international was a target for the Italian champions in the summer and has grown frustrated at his lack of playing time at the German champions.
Reports in Italy suggest Shaqiri will cost Juventus at least €20m however the Bianconeri would rather take the player on loan for the season while Bayern would prefer to sell him outright.
Both Tuttosport and Gazzetta Dello Sport claim Juve have found a more realistic target in the shape of Galatasaray’s Wesley Sneijder. The Dutchman has been linked with a move away from Turkey and is seen as an option given his relatively low cost along with his previous Serie A experience from his time at Inter Milan. Sneijder is reported to be open to a move having fallen out with Gala officials following 3 months of unpaid wages.
A final option for Juventus is Hatem Ben Arfa, currently on loan at Hull City from Newcastle FC.
The Frenchman has had a troubled time in England following a very public dispute with the Tyneside club and Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has confirmed the ex-Marseille player is no longer in his plans. His loan spell at Hull doesn’t appear to have gone much better with Steve Bruce stating Ben-Arfa has “probably played his last game for Hull” following a series of “unacceptable” performances.
His agent Michael Ouzaine told 20minutes.fr: “There are a lot of clubs interested in him, despite everything that has been said. He will have a new club in January. That won’t be a problem, don’t you worry.”
