Juventus Focusing on Sandro Tonali and Houssem Aouar After Shelving Paul Pogba Plans

​Juventus have turned their attention towards midfield duo Sandro Tonali and Houssem Aouar, with a deal for Paul Pogba looking unlikely.

I Bianconeri had been linked with re-signing Pogba, who has not played for Manchester United since December, for some time, with the French international’s agent Mino Raiola refusing to rule out a return to Turin.

However, a recent report from Tuttosport has revealed that Juventus Director Fabio Paratici is increasingly focussing on Brescia’s Tonali and Lyon's Aouar as realistic midfield targets.

Despite being linked with an exit from Old Trafford for an eternity, there is now talk of Pogba committing his long-term future to the club. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjær has added that he expects the World Cup-winning playmaker to remain at the club next season, also reiterating (via the Telegraph) that the club have the option to extend his contract for a year.

Juventus have correspondingly opted to compensate for the immediate benefits that Pogba would have brought by looking towards the future, keeping tabs on 21-year-old Aouar, and Tonali, who is two years his junior.

This follows the forward-looking policy Juventus employed in moving for Parma’s 20-year-old attacking midfielder Dejan Kulusevski in January.

Aouar already has 132 appearances for Lyon under his belt and was recently praised for his performance in midfield against his would-be suitors in the Champions League, setting up Lucas Tousart for the only goal of the game.

Tonali, meanwhile, has already been capped by Italy three times, drawing comparisons with Serie A legend Andrea Pirlo. He helped Brescia finish last season’s Serie B campaign as champions, and has again impressed this campaign despite their struggles since promotion.

With Brescia currently bottom of the table, it is unlikely that they will be able to hold on to the midfield prodigy for much longer, with Inter also rumoured to be circling