Juventus director responds to Gonzalo Higuain rumours, gives update on Pogba and Bonucci

Juventus director Fabio Paratici admitted the club have prepared for possible replacements for Paul Pogba and Leonardo Bonucci, who are linked with a move to Manchester United and Manchester City respectively. The Bianconeri stars have instrumental for club and country, which has seen them attract interest from the Premier League clubs.

The 23-year-old midfielder left Old Trafford as a free agent and joined the Turin club in 2012. Since then, he has won four Serie A titles and has established into one of the best midfielders in Europe.

Pogba was also part of France squad that lost to Portugal in the final of the Euro 2016, while Bonucci was an integral part of Italy's back four in the same tournament. Italy lost to Germany in the quarter-final on penalties.

Juventus are looking at Napoli star Gonzalo Higuaín. According to the Evening Standard, Arsenal are also interested in the Argentine international. Paratici claims their league rivals should not be worried about the situation regarding the former Real Madrid star and admitted that his side are not close to signing the striker.

Paratici explained Napoli should not be worried about Higuan, saying, "All big clubs know that their top players can receive enticing offers.

"We at Juve, for example, have Bonucci and Pogba who are highly sought-after by many clubs and we have prepared for eventual replacements. That is what Napoli will be doing as well, certainly.

"In any case, Higuain is something far away from us. I hear talk that Napoli like more than one of our players, but I can guarantee that at the moment no offers have arrived and therefore there are no negotiations either."

Pogba has been linked with a move to United, who are reportedly ready to pay a world-record fee of £100m ($131.9m). The Sun claims that Bonucci is a target for City's Pep Guardiola, who is valued at around £38m ($50.1m) by the Turin club.