Juventus Transfer News: Bianconeri Rumoured to Be Keen on Marquinhos

Juventus are reportedly keen on Paris Saint-Germain centre-back Marquinhos, who is also a target for Premier League giants Manchester United.

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport reported that signing a new centre-back will be Juve's main focus during the summer transfer window (h/t Calciomercato.com's Jordan Russell).

Russell noted how club directors Beppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici are keen to start the search for a younger successor to veteran pair Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli.

Marquinhos fits the bill, with the 23-year-old Brazil international viewed as "an ideal addition," per Russell. Juve have been watching the versatile defender for a while, according to Russell's translation of the report, which pointed out the Turin club would likely need to stump up more than €45 million (£39 million) to convince Les Parisiens to sell.

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Such a bid would represent a significant outlay for the Bianconeri, but the investment would be worth making. Chiellini is still a colossus at the back, but he's also 33, while Barzagli is 36.

Medhi Benatia offers another option, but the 30-year-old has had his problems. His most recent issue came late on in Wednesday's 3-1 win over Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg.

Juve were 3-0 ahead, level at 3-3 on aggregate, until Benatia conceded a penalty deep into stoppage time after a reckless challenge on Lucas Vazquez. Cristiano Ronaldo scored from the spot to send the Bianconeri out of Europe's top club competition.

While Benatia has his critics, Marquinhos still has room for improvement. He can operate at right-back, centre-back and even as a defensive midfielder.

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Manager Massimiliano Allegri would welcome such versatility since he likes to use both a back four and a three-man defence.

More important than his flexibility, Marquinhos has the pace Juve lack at the heart of defence. Allegri needs a defender who can stay with runners, which is a key facet of Marquinhos' game.

Yet as much as Juve need Marquinhos, convincing PSG to sell would be far from easy. The defender has developed into an outstanding player since moving from Juve's Serie A rivals AS Roma in 2013.

He's becoming a natural successor for 33-year-old talisman Thiago Silva. It's one reason why United are interested, although the Sunday People's Steve Bates recently reported the Brazilian will be a "back-up plan" for the Red Devils in case manager Jose Mourinho fails to sign Real Madrid's Raphael Varane (h/t the Mirror).

A return to the Italian top flight for a more prominent role with Juve might appeal more to Marquinhos, though, provided the Bianconeri can put together an attractive enough deal.