ユベントスの中盤補強候補は誰だ！！

The Juventus centre-midfield targets for January featuring Guarin & Nainggolan, and the player they should sign(Goal.com)

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

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.

VALON BEHRAMI | Fiorentina, 26

SEASON STATS
Appearances
18
Goals
0
Assists
1
TRANSFER FILE
Transfer value
€7m
Chance of arriving
20%

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.

FREDY GUARIN | Porto, 25

SEASON STATS
Appearances
10
Goals
1
Assists
0
TRANSFER FILE
Transfer value
€13m
Chance of arriving
25%

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.

ZDRAVKO KUZMANOVIC | Stuttgart, 24

SEASON STATS
Appearances
16
Goals
3
Assists
1
TRANSFER FILE
Transfer value
€11m
Chance of arriving
3%

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.

RADJA NAINGGOLAN | Cagliari, 23

SEASON STATS
Appearances
18
Goals
1
Assists
2
TRANSFER FILE
Transfer value
€10m
Chance of arriving
25%

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.

ANGELO PALOMBO | Sampdoria, 30

SEASON STATS
Appearances
19
Goals
1
Assists
0
TRANSFER FILE
Transfer value
€5m
Chance of arriving
15%

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.

DAVID PIZARRO | Roma, 32

SEASON STATS
Appearances
8
Goals
0
Assists
0
TRANSFER FILE
Transfer value
€3m
Chance of arriving
12%

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.

THE VERDICT
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.

ユベントスは１８試合無敗を続け、首位をキープしているが、中盤を構成するピルロ、ビダル、マルキジオの力が大きい。この３人がサスペンションまたは怪我で欠けた場合に力が落ちるのは明らかで、スカッドを充実させるべく、中盤の主力クラスの獲得を狙っている。

ベーラミ、グアリン、クズマノビッチ、ナインゴラン、パロンボ、ピサーロの５人が候補。

ベーラミがファーストチョイスと言われているが、グアリンもユベントス移籍希望を明らかにしており、可能性は高い。

一方、クズマノビッチは残留に傾いており、ピサーロは一時期に比べてトーンダウンした感が否めない。

パロンボとナインゴランは代表クラスの逸材で引く手あまた。競合を勝ち抜くだけの金額があるかどうか。パロンボは年齢の問題もある。

とはいえ、全員と契約できるわけもなく、ふたり強化できればＣＢの獲得に全力を注いでほしいね。

あとはアマウリ、グロッソ、モッタに売却の目処がついたのは大きいかな。