Juventus Transfers: Is Khedira a Good Signing for the Bianconeri?

Champions League runners-up Juventus are already starting to build up their squad for next season.

The Serie A champions announced the signing of German midfielder Sami Khedira on Tuesday. The German international will part ways with Real Madrid on a free transfer, as he agreed terms on a four-year deal with La Vecchia Signora, according to the Italian club’s official website:

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Juventus Football Club has today completed the signing of Sami Khedira.

The 28-year-old, who will officially join from Real Madrid on a free transfer on 1 July 2015, has agreed terms on a four-year contract which expires on 30 June 2019.

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Now we are left pondering how Khedira will fit in Massimiliano Allegri’s powerful midfield.

The German player was a featured figure in Madrid back in the 2012-13 season. But after some injury troubles and a decline in his form, Khedira was forced to take a backup role over the past couple of seasons.

A move to the Serie A will likely be good for his career. However, he will have to battle his way into Juventus’ starting XI.

Khedira is used to playing around the center of the field. Primarily a defensive midfielder, he is also able to venture forward into a central-midfielder role.

The Bianconeri, however, have a lot of quality players at each of those positions.

Andrea Pirlo headlines Juventus’ lineup of skilled midfielders. After Il Architetto, there is young superstar Paul Pogba, Chilean international Arturo Vidal and the anchor of Juve’s midfield, Claudio Marchisio.

Khedira is a skilled player, but it's hard to imagine Allegri choosing him over of any of those four players.

With that in mind, Khedira’s signing could be a hint that one or even a couple of Juventus’ midfielders might indeed be moving away from Turin this summer.

Pogba has been a transfer target for other European giants for a while now. After his marvelous Champions League campaign, the rumors about his future will keep piling up.

The latest club to be linked with the French international is Barcelona. Club president Josep Bartomeu recently told Telefoot (h/t ESPN) that his club is interested in the 22-year-old’s signature:

"It is true that Pogba is a leading target of ours and obviously we are interested, but I can't say anything more. We are forbidden to recruit players until January, so I can't talk about it."

Nonetheless, according to ESPN, Juve’s director general Giuseppe Marotta said that the Serie A champions have no intent of selling their gem:

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His position is different. Pogba has a multi-season contract, is growing year on year and we need quality players to improve the team.

In this case, the desire of the club is predominant over that of the player. Our rapport is excellent, we don't want to sell him, there are no negotiations and we have no intention of starting any.

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The other Juventus midfielder recently linked to a move away from the club is playmaker Pirlo. The 36-year-old has been linked with moves to New York City FC and Sydney FC.

According to an ESPN FC report, the Italian legend is closer to a move to the United States than to Australia.

Allegri himself said he has no idea where Pirlo will be playing after this summer.

“As far as Pirlo is concerned, I can't give you an answer I'm afraid,” the Juventus manager said after the Champions League final.

Khedira’s place in all this mess will depend on how these potential transfers pan out for Juventus.

If both players end up staying with the Bianconeri, Khedira will likely be a rotation player.

His presence would allow Allegri the freedom to choose different formations for his midfield, as he would have at his disposal five players versatile enough to play anywhere he needs them to around the middle of the field.

If either Pirlo or Pogba leaves, Khedira would likely be used in a ball-winning defensive-midfielder role.

In that role, he would have less creative freedom than he had in Madrid. He would concentrate on defending while playing as a link from the defense to the midfield and relaying the creation duties to the likes of Vidal and Pirlo or Pogba (whoever stayed) when his team has the ball.

Khedira would be a reliable player in that role. However, it will be interesting to see if he can hold the starting position for long.

Juve’s Stefano Sturaro had a solid 2014-15 campaign, and he will be looking for a chance to break into the starting XI soon.

At the end of the day, considering it was a free transfer, Khedira was an amazing pickup for Juventus to start the summer.