Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta reportedly met with his Sassuolo counterpart Giovanni Carnevali yesterday over Domenico Berardi's proposed move to Turin, Corriere della Sera say.
Berardi joined the Neroverdi on a permanent basis last summer as a result of co-ownership deals ceasing to exist in Italian football at all levels. Part of the deal allowing Sassuolo to sign Berardi, who spent the prior season on loan with them was to give fellow co-owners Juventus a year long option of calling back the starlet for a fee in the region of €25 million.
This season Berardi netted seven times and provided six assists as he turned out 29 times in Serie A for the MAPEI backed side.
With reports increasing about a Madrid return for Alvaro Morata, the likelihood of Juventus securing the 21-year-old rise and rise and it also appears that he will slot right into the position Morata couldnt effectively pull off, right wing, when Juventus deployed a tactic with three forwards.
There is also every chance that Sassuolo full back Sime Vrsaljko was spoken about at the alleged meeting after Carnevali previously admitted there being "major Italian and foreign clubs" in for the Croatian international.
Inter still in with a chance?
Further reports suggests that Inter could still manage to bring Berardi to the San Siro with a €25 million bid with added extras in players but the lack of Champions League football may enable Juventus to secure Berardi that bit easier.
Tottenham have also been linked with the youngster in recent weeks and can, unlike Inter, give Champions League football.
Sassuolo can offer Berardi European football in the Europa League next season as well as a guaranteed start week on week but it remains to be seen whether or not they will be able to keep a hold of him but it doens't look likely.