Juventus are reportedly close to making the permanent signing of Lazio defender Guglielmo Stendardo. Birmingham and Man City had both been chasing the Italian.

Stendardo has fallen out with Lazio boss Delio Rossi and demanded a transfer, and has been attracting interest in the Premiership with Birmingham City and Fulham linked with the 26-year-old.

The former Sampdoria and Perugia ace is believed to be keen on the move and the only stumbling block is the option to buy at the end of this season.
Lazio are also open to the move as they are only playing him because of their own defensive worries but have already lined up Dinamo Bucharest defender Stefan Radu as a replacement.