Juventus to sign Botafogo youngster

Rio de Janeiro, Dec 25 (IANS):

Italian giants Juventus are close to signing defender Doria from Brazilian football club Botafogo in a $10 million deal.

With the European transfer window due to open Jan 1, the 18-year-old central defender should move to Turin in a matter of days, reports Xinhua.

“The deal is well advanced. All should be resolved in the first or second week of January. Juventus know what Botafogo want and we are working out a deal that will leave everyone happy,” said Jolden Vergette, the player’s agent.

The teenager turned into a first-team regular at the Rio de Janeiro club during the second half of the 2012 season and earned high praise after a string of classy displays.

Doria is currently training with the Brazilian Under-20 squad that will compete in the South American Cup in January in Argentina.