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Ever since Beppe Marotta said the club is in the market for a trequartista a few days back, the names started flying as to who the Italian media thinks the three-time Italian champions will pursue. That is, like Marotta said, the right opportunity presents itself. Don't forget that part because it's rather important.
Some old, some relatively new. Let's take a lot, shall we?
Juve's coach would also like a trequartista, especially a versatile one. There are no confirmations on the rumored interest in Snejder as well as Diamanti. However, Juventus has been in contact with Shaqiri's agent. They would like to acquire him on loan with option to buy, Bayern wants it to be a forced option considering the Swiss international's contract expires in 2016. Liverpool is also interested, Atletico could jump in to the race (but it's a difficult opportunity for them), while Inter is considering him as well.
(Source: Gianluca Di Marzio)
And then we had this little tidbit of information...
German Sky: Xherdan Shaqiri close to finalising a loan deal to Juventus with option to buy.
— Raphael Honigstein (@honigstein) December 28, 2014
And it wouldn't be transfer rumor season without the loan-with-option-to-buy clause being thrown in there, huh?
Outside of the whole fact that he won't be able to play in the Champions League, would Shaqiri improve this Juventus squad? Yes, I definitely think so. It's not like my stance from over the summer whether Juventus should sign him has changed all that much in the grand scheme of things. Shaqiri not being eligible to play in Europe this season sucks, surely, but it's still clear that the desire to sign the 23-year-old Swiss playmaker hasn't diminished since the summer transfer window closed and Juventus weren't able to get a deal done.
But there's one thing that's for certain: Shaqiri is seeking out a new club when the January transfer window opens up in a matter of days. And, as of right now, Juventus is the favorite to secure his signature. It could be worse, you know.
