JUVENTUS have been running the rule over Nathan Collins.
But a move in this transfer window is seen as unlikely after they last night completed the signing of Renato Veiga on loan from Chelsea.
SunSport has learned that the Ireland defender was on the Italian club’s list of targets as they looked to strengthen their defence before the transfer window closes.
Brazilian centre-half Gleison Bremer is sidelined with the ACL tear he suffered in October.
Juve suffered their first league defeat of the season on Saturday when they lost to leaders Napoli, effectively ending any lingering title hopes as they are now 16 points adrift.
With the club lying in fifth – having drawn 13 of their 22 Serie A games – and on course to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League, there is still plenty to play for.
And a centre-half was a key target for the second half of the season with Collins among those short-listed as potential buys.
But it is understood that they viewed trying to get a deal done would prove too complicated and expensive ahead of the transfer deadline day next Monday.
Collins, 23, broke the transfer record for an Irish player in successive summers when he moved from Burnley to Wolves for £20.5m in 2022 before Brentford shelled out £23m for him 12 months later.
Instead they have opted to take Portuguese defender Veiga until the summer when they will reassess.
The 21-year-old has started just one Premier League game this season.
But there may be one Ireland international going to the continent with Olympique de Marseille and an unnamed Bundesliga club said to be seeking Evan Ferguson on loan.
Arsenal, Tottenham, West Ham, Bournemouth and Fulham are also keen on the ex-Bohemians striker.
