Juventus working to remove Bentancur's Boca clause amid Atletico Madrid interest

Juventus are working to try and remove a clause in Rodrigo Bentancur’s contract which entitles his former employers at Boca Juniors to 50 per cent of any future transfer fee, Goal understands.

The Bianconeri signed the Uruguayan in April 2017, with first refusal having previously been secured as part of the negotiations which returned Carlos Tevez to Buenos Aires from Turin in 2015.

A €9.5 million (£8m/$11m) option was subsequently taken up and Bentancur, having been allowed to initially remain in Argentina on loan, linked up with Juve in the summer of 2017.

Impressive progress has been made from that point, with 27 outings taken in across his debut campaign.

He would then go on to figure for his country at the 2018 World Cup, with Uruguay earning plenty of admirers before falling to eventual winners France at the quarter-final stage.

Bentancur's International form has been built upon at club level, with the midfielder proving himself to be a key man for Juve in 2018-19.

He has opened his goal account for the club and delivered a level of consistency which has him being placed alongside illustrious team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo.

Such progress has alerted those at the Allianz Stadium to the need for the 21-year-old’s services to secured for the long-term.

Bentancur has a contract through to 2022, but the likes of Atletico Madrid are already sniffing around a superstar in the making and have requested information from Juve.

Goal understands they have been told that there is no chance of a sale being sanctioned, but the Bianconeri are eager to cover themselves.

As a result, dialogue has been opened with Boca regarding the removal of the 50% sell-on clause.

Juve are also keeping a close eye on the development of Leonardo Balerdi – another of those to be impressing enough in Argentina to suggest that a move to Europe could be on the cards.

With a positive relationship enjoyed with Boca president Daniel Angelici, it could be that two issues are addressed during the ongoing talks.

A deal may be discussed for Balerdi, while the reigning Serie A champions will also seek to take full control of Bentancur and his seemingly bright future.

Goal understands that Juve are also assessing their centre-back options and have drawn up a list of potential signings, should a move for their No.1 target Matthijs de Ligt fail to come off.