Juve coach Claudio Ranieri sees Diego as 'his Gianfranco Zola', while club supremo John Elkann regards the Brazil ace as the 'new Michel Platini'.

Elkann has discussed signing Diego with sports director Alessio Secco and is prepared to throw £20 million at Werder to make the deal happen, says Controcampo.

Ranieri is ready to shake-up his playing system to complement Diego, while Juve's board are prepared to offer a five-year deal worth £2 million-a-season.

With Real Madrid having gone cold on Diego's trail, intermediaries have told Juve they have a free run at the midfield schemer.