Juventus eye up shock move Alvaro Odriozola

Real Madrid outcast Alvaro Odriozola has drawn interest from struggling Serie A colossi Juventus, as per Mundo Deportivo.

With or without Massimiliano Allegri in the dugout, the record-time Italian champions have set priorities for the summer transfer window.

Hiring a new right wing-back features the club’s recruitment programme close to the top amid Juan Cuadrado’s uncertain future in Turin.

The 35-year-old was Allegri’s first-choice option on the right flank last season, but he may leave the Allianz Stadium after six years.

Cuadrado’s deal expires at the end of June. Despite being engaged in extension talks with Juventus for quite some time, it’s still uncertain whether he’d stay beyond the summer.

Even if he does, the former Fiorentina man is nearing the autumn of his playing career, forcing the Bianconeri to explore other alternatives on the market.

Juventus initially established contact with Madrid to discuss the prospect of bringing Lucas Vasquez to Serie A, yet Los Blancos quickly turned them down.

Carlo Ancelotti sees the Spaniard as an ideal backup option for Dani Carvajal and has no intention of renouncing his services, leaving Odriozola as a viable candidate to free up the wage bill.

Although the 27-year-old wasn’t Juve’s first choice, he could still fill a gap, especially considering his price tag would affect the club’s finances.

With his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu running out next summer and Madrid keen to acquire some fee, it may take up to €5 million to bring the ex-Real Sociedad right-back to Serie A.

Odriozola spent a decent season-long loan at Fiorentina in 2021/22, registering 25 league matches, before returning to Madrid last summer, only to make six competitive appearances in 2022/23.

Los Blancos are open to letting their fringe player leave this summer.

Juventus are not the only team interested in the Basque native, though their competitors, Sociedad, are unwilling to part with a single coin to take him back to San Sebastian.

They would only sign Odriozola on a free transfer, meaning the Italians are better positioned to complete the deal.