Scouting Juventus Transfer Target Ever Banega

While there is still one more league fixture to be played in Serie A, the fast-approaching winter break means that attention has already turned to the forthcoming transfer window. Juventus travel to Carpi this weekend, but they have been linked with a number of new signings once January arrives.

That comes as no surprise, as the Bianconeri have endured a tough start to the 2015/16 campaign and need to make up ground on the early leaders while also looking ahead to a difficult Champions League encounter with Bayern Munich.

Among the recent rumours are reports from Fichajes.net that the club will move for Chelsea’s Oscar again (h/t Forza Italian Football) or perhaps seek to bring Ezequiel Lavezzi back to Serie A, per Gazzetta World.

Yet perhaps the most plausible link is a story carried by a number of outlets, including Tuttosport. The Turin-based newspaper (h/t Football Italia) reported Juve’s interest in Ever Banega. The Sevilla midfielder’s contract expires at the end of the season, and it is believed he may be allowed to leave before then.

It's a move that fits well with previous deals made by the reigning Serie A champions, as Juve's director general Beppe Marotta has previously agreed to terms with various out-of-contract stars, including Andrea Pirlo, Sami Khedira and Fernando Llorente.

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Like those players, Banega has a long-established international pedigree, having won his first Argentina cap some six-and-a-half years ago. His career includes spells with Boca Juniors, Valencia and Atletico Madrid, as well as lifting the Copa Libertadores, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League trophies.

Also boasting winners’ medals from the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and the 2008 Olympics, the 27-year-old has been sidelined with injuries this season and has started just seven league games. Yet he also took the field in five of Sevilla's six Champions League outings, making key contributions in some important matches.

Banega created his club's winning goal against Valencia and has scored against both Real Madrid and Barcelona this year, though the latter was not enough to help Sevilla lift the Spanish Super Cup against the Catalan giants. The former, however, saw them take all three points against Rafael Benitez’s men.

But arguably his best performance came in Sevilla’s 5-0 victory over Getafe back in October. As the graphic in the tweet above shows, Banega registered three tackles and one interception in that game, while also completing 38 of his 44 pass attempts.

Playing in a central role that saw him create one goal and net another, he proved he can fulfil a need for creativity that Hernanes has failed to supply thus far for Juventus. The display showed all his best attributes, tormenting the opposition with and without the ball, skills which are fully supported by his statistics from last term.

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According to WhoScored.com, Banega averaged 1.8 tackles and 0.5 interceptions per game in La Liga, while completing 82.5 percent of his pass attempts in 2014/15. Adding three goals and three assists, he continues to show excellent speed around the pitch, which would fit well with Juve’s game plan.

Coach Massimiliano Allegri has repeatedly set up the side to transition quickly from defence to attack, something Banega would help facilitate while providing a contrasting style to Claudio Marchisio, Paul Pogba and Khedira.

As talk of a switch continues to develop, Calciomercato.com (h/t Football Italia) reported their belief that the Bianconeri and Sevilla discussed a move when they met earlier this month. It is seemingly an ideal solution for all concerned, and there is little doubt Banega would be a smart acquisition for Juventus.