Jonas Rouhi, the Sweden U21 left-back who joined Juventus five years ago from IF Brommapojkarna, is on the brink of a season-long loan to tackle the Belgian Pro League.
The 21-year-old progressed through the Turin titans’ youth ranks. His impressive performances for the Juventus Next Gen and Primavera sides earned a senior team debut under the then manager Thiago Motta. He ended last term with just five Serie A appearances.
Rouhi has played a bit-part under Juve head coach Igor Tudor, but was named in the Champions League group phase squad.
According to media reports in Belgium, Westerlo have reached a last-gasp deal with Juve for Rouhi on a four-year loan deal with an option to buy.
Valued at just €2 million (US$2.3m), there was speculation that he could be sold to a Serie A minnow. He was linked with Hellas Verona, Pisa SC and Sassuolo during the summer, but no concrete offers were made.
Belgian beckons for Rouhi
With the Belgium transfer deadline today, Rouhi will need to swiftly undertake a medical to push through the deal.
Westerlo are struggling in the Belgian top tier, sitting 11th with just six points from their opening five matches this season.
Rouhi publicly revealed his future plans at Juventus in a press conference and said: “It has been tough as I have not had the chance to play that much.
“I am in discussions with Juventus and my agent has talked. I have not been very involved in it, just trained and focused on my own.”
The Bianconeri have been gradually getting rid of Juventus Next Gen standouts, which could one day come back to haunt them if their respective careers take off.
Turkish temptation for whizzy winger
Another Juve could be offloaded, with veteran left midfielder/winger Filip Kostic on the verge of returning to the Turkish Super Lig. He was linked with a plethora of Serie A sides during the summer, but nothing materialized.
The 32-year-old enjoyed a successful season-long loan at Fenerbahce, Jose Mourinho, yet the club declined signing the Serbian international so he returned to Turin.
Mourinho recently showed serious interest in signing Kostic, whose Juventus contract expires next June, but the former Inter Milan was given the boot last week.
Fenerbahce, who have yet to appoint a new manager, want to sign Kostic on a freebie before Friday’s transfer deadline date.