Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo has reportedly stated his intent to join Juventus during the January transfer window.
The Uruguayan had missed several months with a muscle injury at the start of the season, but returned at the start of December.
However, he appears to not be in manager Hansi Flick's plans, considering he was an unused substitute against Borussia Dortmund, Leganes and Atletico Madrid before the winter break.
Araujo did start in the Copa del Rey win away to Barbastro at the weekend, but that seems to suggest that he will only be a backup player in the squad if he was to stay.
Flick has instead preferred the central defensive duo of Inigo Martinez and teenager Pau Cubarsi, with no room for Araujo even at full-back, despite previously proving his versatility across the backline.
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Araujo attempting to force a move away from Barca?
Therefore, Gazzetta dello Sport claim that Araujo is pushing ahead with a departure from Barca this month, with Juventus his preferred destination.
The report states that the Old Lady are pursuing a loan move for the 25-year-old, in a window that is usually notoriously difficult to deal in, especially outside of the Premier League, where finances are stretched.
Non-EU player limits in Serie A will also be bypassed if Araujo makes the move, because the defender holds a Spanish passport, despite being born in, and representing, Uruguay.
That will make the transfer even more attractive to Juventus, removing the need to deregister or sell any of the current playing squad to accommodate the move.
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Do Juventus need to strengthen in defence?
It is a transfer that would make sense for both parties, even if it would leave Barca slightly short on numbers in defence.
Juventus are lacking in that department themselves, most notably due to the season-ending knee injury sustained by Bremer earlier in the campaign.
Brazil captain Danilo has also been dropped from the squad since the 2-2 draw at home with relegation-threatened Venezia in mid-December, and he did not travel with the side to Saudi Arabia for the Italian Super Cup this week.
Manager Thiago Motta has stated that he hopes to get the first signing of the window through the door by the end of the week, with the Bianconeri needing to strengthen if they are to stay in the hunt at the top, after an underwhelming start which leaves them fifth in Serie A currently.
Reports have also linked the club with a move for West Ham United striker Niclas Fullkrug, due to the ongoing injury problems for Arkadiusz Milik, and lack of backup for Dusan Vlahovic.
Juve are back in action on Saturday in the Derby della Mole against cross-city rivals Torino in Serie A.
Andrew Delaney
