Leicester City defender Timothy Castagne is reportedly Juventus manager Max Allegri’s preferred summer target for the fullback position.
The 27-year-old is expected to leave the club following the Foxes’ relegation last season, and is attracting interest from across Europe.
Juventus are searching for a new fullback, and the Belgium international particularly appeals to Allegri given his ability to play on both flanks.
TuttoSport have now reported that Juventus want Castagne, but are trying to negotiate a loan deal with an option to buy, with Leicester preferring a straight sale.
Castagne has two years left on his deal at Leicester, and a sale now would definitely be the best option for the club, and given that there is likely to be other interest in the defender, including from Fulham, Enzo Maresca’s side will not need to be forced into accepting a lower offer.
The Belgian has experience in Serie A, having previously played for Atalanta prior to his Leicester move, and would bring some quality to the Juventus back line.
Will Leicester miss Castagne?
The defender made 112 appearances for the Foxes since his arrival in 2020, and was an integral player last season, playing in 37 out of 38 league games, on both flanks and as both a wing-back and full-back in different formations.
Castagne was a solid defender, but Leicester’s poor defensive record last season, which saw them concede 68 goals in 38 matches, means that a fresh start away from the personnel of the backline could be good for the club.
Leicester have already brought in Conor Coady and Callum Doyle as centre-backs, and still have Ricardo Pereira and James Justin as right-back options, although the futures of both are unclear.
Whilst they will be losing a good player in Castagne, if they can recoup some of the £21.5m they paid for him, it will be a good sale as Leicester aim for immediate promotion back to the top flight.