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We've seen Tomas Pochettino-to-Juventus transfer rumors before. But this time, a few months after the initial chatter first surfaced, they are a little more serious. Actually, a lot more serious.
Sky Sports Italia is reporting that Juventus are close to signing Pochettino, an 18-year-old midfielder who has grown up in the famed Boca Juniors youth academy. He is expected to arrive on a Beppe Marotta Special — otherwise known as a free transfer — and will put pen to paper on his contract with Juventus in the coming days.
A little more detail about the imminent move, courtesy of Gianluca Di Marzio:
Juventus executive director Beppe Marotta is ready to sign another prospect to ensure his club continues it's recent success. The bianconeri are set to sign Boca Juniors midfielder Tomas Pochettino (born in 1996), the player arrived in Italy this morning. Pochettino left Argentina last night and landed in Rome before heading to Sorrento to get his new passport. Between Wednesday and Thursday he's expected in Torino to take his medical and sign a contract with Juventus. After the signature he will return to Argentina prior to coming back to Italy in January.
From there, reports vary on just what Pochettino's next move will be after he signs his contract with Juventus. Di Marzio states that he will spend the next six months with Juventus, training with both the primavera and the first team squad, and then be loaned out — most likely to Sassuolo — next season if he is deemed ready to go. Others say Pochettino, who has been likened to Juan Roman Riquelme by some, will be loaned out right away, presumably to Sassuolo while they are still in Serie A.
Either way, a lot of people are expecting Pochettino will make the trip from Argentina to Turin once again and officially sign for Juventus sooner rather than later. And then, at some point, head out on loan to gain experience in Italy. Why? Because it's Juventus, and that's just how they roll.
