Zenit midfielder Leandro Paredes insists he wants to concentrate on finishing the season strongly but is interested in talk linking him with a summer move to Juventus and Real Madrid.
Paredes only joined Zenit from Roma last summer in a deal worth €27m (£23.5m) but the Argentina international has been heavily linked with a high profile move at the end of the season.
Juventus and Real Madrid are reportedly weighing up moves for the 23-year-old and the Zenit midfielder has conceded the thought of joining either club motivates him.
“I have a lot of friends in Turin,” he told RMC Sport, via Football Italia. “So that would make it easier, but there are many champions in Madrid and that would be very motivating for a young player like me.
“Right now I need to concentrate on the end of the season with Zenit, after that we’ll see. To know that two great clubs like Juve and Real are interested in me is important, but I’m calm, I try not to be distracted.
“Choosing between Juventus and Real Madrid is not easy, it would be a difficult choice for me. I’d need to have both offers on the table and then choose.
“When they spoke of Juventus the first time, the Roma fans made their voices heard and prevented the transfer, they told me it was forbidden to move to another Italian team. At that time though my first choice was Juventus.”
Zenit have endured a difficult campaign and are currently on course to finish outside of the Champions League positions.
The pressure is mounting on former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini and he is expected to leave at the end of the season.
The all-action midfielder has scored or assisted five goals in 22 league games for Zenit this season, attempting 2.1 shots per game, as well as 2.2 key passes and 6.2 long balls.
Paredes would be a good acquisition for Juve at the right price. He plays Pjanic's role and he could be a suitable backup for him. Perhaps that would free up Bentancur to be a less central, more free, box-to-box presence.