Juventus appear to be bracing themselves for the exit of Andrea Pirlo after manager Massimiliano Allegri revealed his plans to sign a playmaker in the winter or summer transfer window.
Pirlo has been an outstanding player for Juventus since joining them a few years ago from AC Milan. He has been responsible for three successive league titles and also doing well in the Champions League. The 35 year-old, though, is coming to his last years as a professional footballer. He is widely expected to leave the club in the summer with his contract set to expire.
Even thoughPirlo continues to their regular first-team player for Juventus this season, Allegri is already looking at replacing the Italian international. Some of the players expected to join Juventus January include Barcelona defender Martin Montoya. Apart from strengthening the defence, Allegri says that the club will also be looking to sign a playmaker to take advantage of Carlos Tevez’ impressive goal scoring form. Juventus lead the table by three points going into the winter break. They have suffered just one defeat in the first half of the season. Tevez has been by far the best player in the league with five assists and 10 goals to his name so far.
“We know what we need to improve. Montoya is a good full-back but he still plays for Barcelona, and there are other players. We’ll discuss whether to sign a full-back or a central defender. A playmaker wouldn’t hurt. Problems with Pirlo? Absolutely not. I just have to handle him carefully because he’s 35 and I want him at his best for certain occasions. Juventus should make a major leap. This is especially key in Europe. Juve may be one of the strongest, as are Real Madrid, Bayern [Munich], Barcelona and Chelsea,” said Allegri.