Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus are close to finalising an unexpected deal to exchange full-backs Layvin Kurzawa and Mattia De Sciglio, sources have revealed to ESPN.
- Transfer Grades: All the big moves rated
- When does the transfer window close?
- All major completed transfer deals
The 27-year-old France international had been the subject of interest from Arsenal, and he preferred that move to Inter Milan, but PSG have opted to include him in the swap deal for the Italian -- despite coach Thomas Tuchel's need for Kurzawa while Juan Bernat is injured.
As informed by ESPN sources last week, PSG sporting director Leonardo has kept his eye on De Sciglio since last summer with the idea of strengthening depth on both the left and right side of the defence with the 27-year-old's acquisition.
However, Thomas Meunier had been expected to be the player to feature in any swap deal with Juve as the Belgium international is also into the final six months of his contract.
According to ESPN sources, De Sciglio and Kurzawa will switch places on a permanent basis, and the former AS Monaco man will be reunited with ex-teammates Blaise Matuidi and Adrien Rabiot in Turin.
Unlike the Frenchman, De Sciglio is under contract until 2022, and cost Juve €12 million from AC Milan back in 2017.
As recently as last Sunday, after PSG's 1-0 Coupe de France round of 32 win away at Lorient, Leonardo insisted Arsenal had not contacted the French champions for Kurzawa.
The Gunners had initially contacted the player with a view to a summer move, but a winter switch swiftly became a possibility before it became clear that any PSG departures this month would require fees -- or at least form part of an exchange deal.
The January business might not yet be done at Parc des Princes as the French capital outfit have slapped a €20m price tag on Edinson Cavani as Atletico Madrid chase the signature of the Uruguay international, who is the Ligue 1 giants' all-time top scorer.