Chelsea star Jorginho has emerged as a surprise transfer target for Juventus - with the Italian giants reportedly plotting an ambitious summer swoop for the midfield maestro.
Jorginho has been in sizzling form over the past 12 months and tasted Champions League success with the Blues just weeks before he went on to play a vital role in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph.
The 30-year-old was even ranked third in this year's Ballon d'Or standings as a result of his remarkable form for both club and country.
But the ex-Napoli star has less than 18 months to run on his current deal at Stamford Bridge - and Chelsea could elect to cash in on him in the summer.
According to Gazetta, Juventus have pinpointed Jorginho as a key summer target as they continue their ambitious spending spree.
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The Serie A juggernauts are set to wrap up the £59million sign of Fiorentina hotshot Dusan Vlahovic before Monday's transfer deadline.
And the spending is set to continue at the end of the season if the Blues will play ball over their primary midfield conductor.
Although Jorginho has been playing some of the best football of his career, coming to an agreement over fresh terms could be difficult due to the Londoners' contract policy for players over 30.
Chelsea's standard offer of one-year extensions to veterans is already causing them a headache with club captain Cesar Azpiliecuta, who is due to be a free agent in the summer.
Thomas Tuchel also has an embarrassment of riches in midfield right now with N'Golo Kante, Mason Mount, Mateo Kovacic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all in the mix for starting spot.
And with loan stars Conor Gallagher and Billy Gilmour also due to return to the Blues at the end of the season, Tuchel will have a plethora of options to pick from.
That could tempt the Blues into trying to recoup a sizeable chunk of the £50m they splashed out to lure Jorginho to the Premier League.
Meanwhile, it's looking more and more likely that Chelsea will end the month without bolstering their squad.
Injuries to key personnel have crippled Tuchel's side over the past couple of months and put an end to their hopes of wrestling the Premier League crown away from Manchester City.
There had been talk that Chelsea could try and sign a wing-back this month after losing both Ben Chilwell and Reece James late last year.
But so far, there has been no since of Blues' owner Roman Abramovich opening his chequebook this month.
Perhaps that decision has been influenced by James, who is now just weeks away from a return according to The Athletic.
Tuchel has already used the versatile wing-back in a host of positions this term.
And it's likely that his return, which could fall in line with the beginning of Chelsea's Club World Cup campaign in February, will lead to the Blues keeping their powder dry until the summer.
