With Champions League football looking likely, Juventus are planning their summer reinforcements and Werder Bremen’s Diego is top priority.

The Old Lady have made a smooth transition to Serie A after their spell in the Purgatory of Serie B and have an eight-point cushion in the Champions League qualification zone. If the Bianconeri are to compete at the highest level next term, they will need to strengthen their squad and they are expected to make several high-profile swoops in pre-season.

Sporting director Alessio Secco met with Brazilian star Diego and his father yesterday and reports suggest that he is ready to offer Werder Bremen around £12m for his services. The 22-year-old is one of the Bundesliga’s most sought-after talents and is under contract at the Weserstadion until 2011 and is valued at nearly £20m by the Germans.

However, it seems that Werder couldn’t prevent Diego leaving if he decides that he wants to continue his career in Serie A and may be willing to cash in their prized asset. Reports last week suggested that Real Madrid had stolen a march in the race for his signature, but Juve are now believed to be on equal footing.

Meanwhile, the Cadetti champions continue to push for Palermo star Amauri and are strong favourites to lure the former Chievo man in the summer. The prolific hitman has made no secret of his desire to leave Sicily for a bigger stage at the end of the campaign and Secco discussed terms with Rosanero sporting director Rino Foschi at Milan’s Hilton Hotel last weekend.

Palermo are asking for around £16m to relinquish their grip on Amauri, but Juve may offer a part-exchange deal involving Raffaele Palladino or Paolo De Ceglie.