Juventus in the market for new defender after Barzagli surgery

Juventus are set to scour the transfer market for a new defender after Andrea Barzagli was ruled out for at least three months after undergoing ankle surgery.

The 33-year-old had surgery in Finland recently, and will be unavailable until October at the very least meaning the Bianconeri are interested in adding another defender to their ranks.

According to SportMediaset, there are three players at the top of the shortlist to provide security for Antonio Conte’s back-line once the season begins.

Inter’s Andrea Ranocchia, Sampdoria’s Shkodran Mustafi and Eder Alvarez Balanta of Argentine side River Plate are all being considered as solutions to the Bianconeri’s problems.

Ranocchia has just one year left on his Nerazurri contract, and his reluctance to renew his deal could see him sold off this summer with Conte known to be an admirer of the former Bari player.