Tottenham and United Heartened in January Pursuit of Serie A Playmaker

Andrea Pirlo's future at Juventus is shrouded in uncertainty after general director Giuseppe Marotta admitted talks regarding an extension of the Italian international's contract would not be held until 2014 - encouraging Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur to make a January bid for the World Cup winner.

Pirlo's current deal expires at the end of the 2013/14 season and the Bianconeri are understood to be willing to allow the 34 year old to leave the club in the January transfer window prior to being available on a free transfer next summer, with leading clubs from England and Spain reportedly interested.

The veteran midfielder has featured in all of Juventus' games this season and has inspired the Italian giants to successive Serie A crowns and to last season's Champions League quarter final where they were defeated by eventual winners Bayern Munich.

Juve boss Antonio Conte possesses an embarrassment of riches in midfield with Paul Pogba, Aturo Vidal and Claudio Marchisio among the options available and with the club notably attempting to lower the average age of the squad, discussions relating to the extension of Pirlo's deal have been delayed.

"Pirlo's contract? We have held talks and are calm about it. We have decided to continue negotiations in February or March," Marotta told Tuttosport.

The former Inter Milan and AC Milan playmaker has won over 100 caps for Italy and was part of the squad which won the 2006 World Cup and reached the European Championship final in 2012.

Moves to La Liga and the Premier League are understood to be at the top of Pirlo's wishlist should Juventus pass on offering the Italy man a new deal.

United, the reigning Premier League champions are likely to head the race for Pirlo after failing to add a creative midfield player to their ranks during the summer transfer window following failed bids for Cesc Fabregas and Ander Herrera among others.

Meanwhile, London trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham all made significant creative additions to their squad in the summer as United struggled.

Arsenal smashed their transfer record to sign Mesut Ozil from Real Madrid to compliment Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey in midfield but questions have been asked whether Arsene Wenger's side, who have gone eight years without winning a major trophy, possess the experience to contest for silverware.

Chelsea, who have formerly been heavily linked with a move for Pirlo, recruited Andre Schurrle in the summer while they also welcomed Kevin de Bruyne back from a loan spell at Werder Bremen.

And Tottenham, who sold Gareth Bale to Real Madrid for a world record £85m, signed eight new players to offset the loss of the Welshman including Erik Lamela from Roma and the highly rated Danish midfielder Christian Eriksen leaving manager Andre Villas-Boas with a host of midfield options.

Arsenal, Chelsea, United and Tottenham would all provide major draws for Pirlo but it is yet to be seen whether the experienced schemer will be tempted to move to English football, stay in his homeland, where he has remained for his entire career, or be tempted to Spain to reunite with former manager Carlo Ancelotti at Real.