Report: Juventus swings €20M deal for Atalanta's Caldara

Juventus is planning for the future.

The five-time defending Serie A champion has agreed to sign promising Atalanta defender Mattia Caldara for at least €20 million, plus potential bonuses, according to Sky Sport's Gianluca Di Marzio and La Gazzetta dello Sport's Carlo Laudisa.

The structure of the deal means Caldara, 22, would officially become a Juventus player in January, but could remain in Bergamo until the end of the season or the summer of 2018.

It's an investment in a centre-back who's referenced in the Italian media as the future of Italy's defence. Considering Juventus already boasts the current core of the Azzurri's backline, it's fitting that the next in queue is also prepared to join the Bianconeri.

He could theoretically replace one of Giorgio Chiellini, 32, or Andrea Barzagli, 35, as Leonardo Bonucci, 29, signed a new contract Monday through 2021.

The idea, according to reports, is that Caldara will form a partnership with another young Juventus defender, Daniele Rugani. Known for his discipline and timely anticipation on and off the ball, Rugani has already made eight starts this season for the Old Lady.

Caldara has emerged as a hot property on the Italian market after playing an important role in Atalanta's rise to sixth in the Serie A table. He made life difficult for AC Milan on the weekend, stifling the Rossoneri's attacks and ultimately keeping them scoreless at the San Siro. He also helped keep Napoli hitman Arkadiusz Milik quiet in a 1-0 win over the Partenopei in October.

Scoring three goals in 11 starts, Caldara is equally powerful in the opponent's 18-yard box, nodding in two of his tallies.

Roma, Napoli, and Milan all reportedly expressed interest in the player, but Juventus - whose CEO Giuseppe Marotta has worked wonders in the transfer market as of late - once again swooped in before its competitors.