Juventus will have to find at least €12 million to persuade Zenit St Petersburg into selling Portugal defender Bruno Alves as a loan deal is unlikely, SoccerAnchor.com can reveal.

With the 30-year-old's father confirming his son could have joined Juventus last year before talks collapsed, the Bianconeri have been busy sparking dialogue with the Russian giants over a summer move.

SoccerAnchor.com understands Juventus chiefs have been paving the way for the former Porto defender, and one of their requests for a loan deal has already been turned down.

Juve have enquired over taking Alves on loan for one year, paying Zenit €1.5m for the duration of the loan, but directors at the Russian club have told their Italian counterparts a straight sale is the way forward.

Having signed Sebastian Giovinco back from Parma, and added Mauricio Isla and Kwadko Asamoah to their ranks during the transfer window, the Bianconeri are looking to retrench and will start bidding for Alves at €12m.

Borussia Dortmund's Matts Hummels was reportedly a choice for Antonio Conte, but a Juventus source told SoccerAnchor.com: "Getting Hummels is very difficult and unlikely as Dortmund will want around €25m for the player.

"Having spent money on Giovinco, Isla and Asamoah, the plan is to be cautious with spending and so it seems Alves is the first choice to fulfill Conte's request for a top centre-back. Conte wants a player on the level of Bonucci and Barzagli and Alves is one of those who fit the bill."