theirishjuvejourno

Fill Paul Pogba’s avoid

Juventus need to strengthen their midfield ahead of Paul Pogba’s presumed departure to Manchester United. While the France international will be difficult to replace, his compatriot Moussa Sissoko would be a good stop-gap solution until the Italian champions can earmark a long-term heir. The Newcastle United star is a well-rounded midfielder, with an eye for goal but capable of tracking back and supporting his defence. His experience of Ligue 1 and the Premier League should prove beneficial in any potential move to Serie A, too.

Reasonable price

Newcastle’s valuation of £35m isn’t too unreasonable given Sissoko was a regular in Didier Deschamps’s France side that reached the Euro 2016 final. Given the going rate for a European standard midfielder is between £25m and £45m (Granit Xhaka, Renato Sanches, Mario Gotze, Miralem Pjanic and N’Golo Kante). Sissoko’s name wouldn’t be out of place on that list. At 26, Sissoko still has room to develop under Massimiliano Allegri, too.

Better than other targets

Juventus have been linked with a move for Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, too. The Serbian would cost more than Sissoko, though. He is also coming off a poor season with Chelsea after the Blues finished in tenth place in the Premier League table. Sissoko is a more versatile player than Matic, too. Another name that has been linked with the Old Lady is Axel Witsel. But having played in the Russian top flight for the past four years, Sissoko seems like a better option having played in a more competitive league.