Juventus are being paired with defender Samuel Kuffour and could make an offer to Roma at some stage this week, reports are suggesting.

The Bianconeri are in need of a new defender after the sales of Lilian Thuram, Fabio Cannavaro and Gianluca Zambrotta.

They have already expressed their interest in several players, including Monaco?s Gael Givet and Inter?s Nicolas Burdisso, but negotiations have stalled.

Kuffour, 30, is highly rated by Juventus and could be just what they need in what promises to be a long and demanding season in Serie B.

The Giallorossi are seemingly ready to release the centre-back who struggled to perform at the Stadio Olimpico.

He was frequently left out of the side in the second half of last term after being replaced by an excellent Philippe Mexes once Kuffour left for the African Cup of Nations in the New Year.

The capital outfit plan on netting something around ?1.4m for the Ghanaian international, who is currently contracted until 2008 and arrived on a free transfer last summer.

The former Bayern Munich stopper may therefore return to Turin after playing for city rivals Torino in 1991.

He subsequently left the Stadio Delle Alpi and spent 10 years in the Bundesliga, during which time he also became a German citizen.

Kuffour is expected to sign a three-year contract with Juventus and may play next to former Bayern teammate Robert Kovac next term, thus confirming speculation that Nicola Legrottaglie will be allowed to leave Juve.

The latter, who spent last term on loan at Siena, could join the Tuscan minnows on a permanent basis even if Livorno are also keen.