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The Juventus centre-midfield targets for January featuring Guarin & Nainggolan, and the player they should sign
The Bianconeri are looking to reinforce the heart of their side this month, but of all the proposed signings, we take a look at who would best suit what coach Antonio Conte needs
Jan 18, 2012 10:00:00 AM
ANALYSIS
By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor
In Juventus' 18-match unbeaten run in 2011-12, the one area that has come under the microscope only fleetingly has been the midfield. The impact of summer arrivals Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, plus the best goalscoring run of Claudio Marchisio's career, has all combined to form a steady base at the heart of the team.
However, in his push to ensure that his side can stay the course in the Scudetto race, the Bianconeri coach Antonio Conte has asked for further reinforcements in the centre, and the club's hierarchy have been linked with moves for a number of extra central midfielders.
But of those targets, who would best suit the Old Lady? Below, we have a look at the players linked with a move to Turin and make a judgement on which one Juventus should buy.
The Swiss has been a first-choice starter for Fiorentina since returning to Serie A this time last year following two-and-half years in the Premier League with West Ham. Playing largely on the right side of a midfield three in the Viola's 3-5-2, he has been a steady if unspectacular presence.
Having spent much of his time at Lazio as a right-back following Massimo Oddo's move to AC Milan, he hasn't always looked at ease in the less dynamic midfield role since arriving at the Artemio Franchi. But with the Viola going through a difficult spell, a move to the currently-thriving Juve could be just what he needs.
The Colombian has become hot property since his form in Porto's run to the Europa League final in 2011, with his game-winning assist for Radamel Falcao's only goal giving the Portuguese side a deserved trophy. He then started every game as his national side reached the quarter-finals of the Copa America after topping Argentina's group.
Much of his 2011-12 campaign has been taken up by transfer talk, with Juve by far and away the most interested club, but the deal looked to be off when the Old Lady started pursuing Martin Caceres. However, Guarin could still be the one extracomunitario that they plump for, as Conte's preoccupation with adding a dynamic midfielder becomes of greater importance.
The Swiss-Serb has enjoyed a new lease of life since moving to the Bundesliga in 2009. Having been largely a defensive midfielder for Fiorentina after his signing from Basel, his €8m move to Germany has seen him develop into a more rounded midfielder, with a goals record belying his previous role as the pivot in the centre.
In looking to make the most of his developing reputation, Kuzmanovic would surely be tempted by the overtures of Juventus. But the Old Lady's initial interest in his signature has seemingly died down, with many other targets being pursued since they were linked with the 43-cap Serbian international, and Lazio are now showing some interest in being the club to bring him back to Serie A.
While many of Juve's targets have made, or boosted, reputations elsewhere, Belgian midfielder Nainggolan has come up through the ranks of Italian football to become one of the hottest properties on the peninsula. After leaving Germinal Beerschot's youth ranks for Piacenza, the player of Indonesian heritage was picked up by Cagliari two years ago and has recently been linked with both Milan sides as well as the Old Lady.
Possessing the quality and attributes to play in any of the three centre-midfield berths, his value has sky-rocketed during a spell in which he has become the Rossoblu's most irreplaceable first-teamer. Recently picked out by Goal.com as a star in the making, it would be hard to knock Juventus for making the move to add Nainggolan to their midfield stock.
Now in his 10th season with Sampdoria, Palombo is developing a reputation as one of the Blucerchiati's most loyal servants of recent times. However, their struggles in Serie B this term have given admirers added impetus in their belief that he could yet be dragged away from the fallen Ligurian giants.
The 22-cap Italian international has fallen off the radar somewhat since his side's fall from grace in the past 12 months, but after turning down a move back to Fiorentina last summer he could well use this month's window as the chance to show he can still do something at the top level. Largely used as an organiser and a cool head, Palombo would probably be best suited as an alternative to Pirlo.
The Chilean has become peripheral to plans at Roma this season, with new coach Luis Enrique looking to bring more youth into the side. Despite Pizarro's all-round qualities alongside Daniele De Rossi in the middle, he has experienced his most difficult spell in the capital to date.
The former Inter man was linked with a move to Turin before the talk of Nainggolan first came about, and things have died down somewhat since then, but he should not be ruled out as a potential arrival given that Conte would very much welcome such a versatile addition. Age may be the only thing against him, given his notable seniority within the group of targets.
While Pizarro's age will no doubt count against him in the final decision, it shouldn't be forgotten what Pirlo's know-how and experience has brought to the table. However, Nainggolan's quality would be a fantastic addition to the mix in midfield, and with Milan and Inter also sniffing around the Belgian, keeping a player of such potential away from your biggest rivals should also be taking into account when making such decisions.
Kuzmanovic and Behrami have flattered at times in their Serie A careers, while Palombo has seen better days. Guarin should be taken seriously as an option, but the decision must be made whether Caceres and a different midfielder would be a better January buy, given that they could potentially sign the Colombian in the summer.
All things considered, now might well be the right time to sign Nainggolan, who will give them options in all three central spots.
Follow Kris Voakes on
By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor
In Juventus' 18-match unbeaten run in 2011-12, the one area that has come under the microscope only fleetingly has been the midfield. The impact of summer arrivals Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, plus the best goalscoring run of Claudio Marchisio's career, has all combined to form a steady base at the heart of the team.
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However, in his push to ensure that his side can stay the course in the Scudetto race, the Bianconeri coach Antonio Conte has asked for further reinforcements in the centre, and the club's hierarchy have been linked with moves for a number of extra central midfielders.
But of those targets, who would best suit the Old Lady? Below, we have a look at the players linked with a move to Turin and make a judgement on which one Juventus should buy.
| VALON BEHRAMI | Fiorentina, 26 |
 Read more on Behrami |
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Having spent much of his time at Lazio as a right-back following Massimo Oddo's move to AC Milan, he hasn't always looked at ease in the less dynamic midfield role since arriving at the Artemio Franchi. But with the Viola going through a difficult spell, a move to the currently-thriving Juve could be just what he needs.
| FREDY GUARIN | Porto, 25 |
 Read more on Guarin |
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Much of his 2011-12 campaign has been taken up by transfer talk, with Juve by far and away the most interested club, but the deal looked to be off when the Old Lady started pursuing Martin Caceres. However, Guarin could still be the one extracomunitario that they plump for, as Conte's preoccupation with adding a dynamic midfielder becomes of greater importance.
| ZDRAVKO KUZMANOVIC | Stuttgart, 24 |
 Read more on Kuzmanovic |
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In looking to make the most of his developing reputation, Kuzmanovic would surely be tempted by the overtures of Juventus. But the Old Lady's initial interest in his signature has seemingly died down, with many other targets being pursued since they were linked with the 43-cap Serbian international, and Lazio are now showing some interest in being the club to bring him back to Serie A.
| RADJA NAINGGOLAN | Cagliari, 23 |
 Read more on Nainggolan |
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||||||||||||||
Possessing the quality and attributes to play in any of the three centre-midfield berths, his value has sky-rocketed during a spell in which he has become the Rossoblu's most irreplaceable first-teamer. Recently picked out by Goal.com as a star in the making, it would be hard to knock Juventus for making the move to add Nainggolan to their midfield stock.
| ANGELO PALOMBO | Sampdoria, 30 |
 Read more on Palombo |
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The 22-cap Italian international has fallen off the radar somewhat since his side's fall from grace in the past 12 months, but after turning down a move back to Fiorentina last summer he could well use this month's window as the chance to show he can still do something at the top level. Largely used as an organiser and a cool head, Palombo would probably be best suited as an alternative to Pirlo.
| DAVID PIZARRO | Roma, 32 |
 Read more on Pizarro |
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The former Inter man was linked with a move to Turin before the talk of Nainggolan first came about, and things have died down somewhat since then, but he should not be ruled out as a potential arrival given that Conte would very much welcome such a versatile addition. Age may be the only thing against him, given his notable seniority within the group of targets.
| THE VERDICT |
Kuzmanovic and Behrami have flattered at times in their Serie A careers, while Palombo has seen better days. Guarin should be taken seriously as an option, but the decision must be made whether Caceres and a different midfielder would be a better January buy, given that they could potentially sign the Colombian in the summer.
All things considered, now might well be the right time to sign Nainggolan, who will give them options in all three central spots.
Follow Kris Voakes on
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