Juventus are reportedly putting together a £9.5million offer for Manchester City defender Matija Nastasic.
Italian source Tutto Mercato Web claims the Serie A champions have identified the Serbia international as the man to bolster their backline and a bid could be placed on the table in the coming weeks.
With the summer transfer window now officially open, the Turin giants are wasting no time in their attempts to build on the success of the 2013-14 campaign as they look to launch an assault on next term’s Champions League.
Juve still hold out hope of initially landing Nastasic on loan with a view to a permanent deal, but it is thought that if the Blues decide to part company with the 21-year-old they will demand a fee up-front.
The ball-playing centre-half is no stranger to Serie A, having impressed at Fiorentina before moving to City in 2012 as part of the deal which saw Stefan Savic move in the other direction.
He was an ever-present under former City manager Roberto Mancini but has fallen down the pecking order under the Italian’s successor, Manuel Pellegrini.
Argentina veteran Martin Demichelis is now the preferred partner to captain Vincent Kompany, and the Premier League champions are widely-expected to add another central defender to their ranks this summer.
Nastasic has not started a game for the club since February 3.