Juventus are ready to launch a January bid for Werder Bremen star Diego. Corriere dello Sport says Juve chiefs are convinced their problems this season have stemmed from a failure to land a midfield playmaker over the summer.

Juve ran close for Liverpool midfielder Xabi Alonso and Diego - and will return to Werder with a fresh bid for the Brazil international in January.

Also under consideration to pep up Juve's flagging midfield is Zenit St Petersburg's Anatoliy Tymoschuk.