Serie A heavyweights Juventus have earmarked Ajax defender Josip Sutalo as a fallback option after losing the race for Jean-Clair Todibo. According to Calciomeracto, Thiago Motta’s men have taken advantage of ongoing talks over Daniele Rugani’s loan switch to Amsterdam to discuss the Croatia international’s potential move to Turin.

Juventus failed to materialize their long-standing interest in Todibo as West Ham United agreed upon a deal with OGC Nice to upset the Bianconeri on Friday. The Frenchman had long been Motta’s top defensive target, but the club couldn’t find common ground with the Ligue 1 outfit, resulting in the 24-year-old’s transfer to London.

With the start of the new Serie A season around the corner, Juventus are frantically looking for defensive reinforcements. Sutalo has emerged as the latest ideal for sporting director Cristiano Giuntoli. The Bianconeri executive is in talks with Ajax over Rugani. The out-of-favor center-back could soon leave for the Netherlands.

Giuntoli hopes to use this occasion to lure Sutalo to Juventus. Ajax have set a price tag of around €15 million for the 24-year-old. The Croatian star joined the Lancers from Dinamo Zagreb last summer. He has since made 40 appearances and bagged two goals for the Dutch powerhouse, establishing himself as a crucial first-team component.

Regardless of Sutalo’s household status at Ajax, Juventus believe they could take the highly-rated defender to