Juventus to turn to Chelsea defender to sort out injury crisis - report

According to Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, Serie A giants Juventus are interested in acquiring Branislav Ivanovic. The defender's current deal with Chelsea runs out in June, and it's unlikely that the Blues will offer an extension.

Juve's initial idea was to approach Ivanovic as a free agent in the summer, but a sudden injury crisis in Turin could force their hands in January.

Juventus lost Brazilian right back Daniel Alves to a fibula fracture in last weekend's shock 3-1 loss to Genoa.  Alves isexpected to be out for at least four months.  In the same game, Leonardo Bonucci picked up a hamstring strain that could keep him out until February.  Meanwhile, centre back Andrea Barzagli is until January  due to a shoulder injury suffered at the beginning of November.

For their next game against Atalanta, manager Massimiliano Allegri will only have Daniele Rugani, Mehdi Benatia, Patrice Evra, and maybe Giorgio Chiellini available, but Chiellini is still recovering from a muscular issue that had kept him out for the last seven games.

The Bianconeri have been known for getting good mileage out of veteran defenders such as Patrice Evra and Daniel Alves himself; a 32-year-old Branislav Ivanovic could certainly fit that pattern.