RIO DE JANEIRO, Dec 25: 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.

“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.—Agencies