The summer transfer market has yet to get into full swing, but Juventus are already well on the way to assembling a competitive squad for their return to the top flight.
Portugal midfielder Tiago was in Turin Thursday for medical checks in view of a transfer from French title-holders Lyon.
Juve have agreed to pay around 15 million euros for the former Chelsea and Benfica star, according to Italian media reports.
The 27-year-old is a ball-winning defensive midfielder as well as a sweet passer.
His arrival should complete a strong midfield, if Juve can persuade Italy star Mauro Camoranesi to stay and convince former European Footballer of the Year Pavel Nedved to put off his retirement another year.
The Serie B champs are also about to buy Empoli's Argentine midfielder Sergio Bernardo Almiron who, like Tiago, was in Turin for tests Thursday.
Former Italy midfielder Cristiano Zanetti and talented winger Marco Marchionni are already on board.
Things are looking good up front too, thanks to Tuesday's signing of Vincenzo Iaquinta, a member of Italy's World Cup-winning squad, from Udinese.
Iaquinta is likely to form a strike partnership with captain Alessandro Del Piero, as France forward David Trezeguet is expected to leave after falling out with the club's management.
The Turin giants are still in the market for another striker though to give coach Claudio Ranieri options in attack.
AC Milan's Alberto Gilardino is a target.
The Azzurri star said Thursday he was "flattered" by Juve's attention, but stressed that he was focusing exclusively on doing his best for Milan at the moment.
Juve have strengthened their defence by signing Czech international Zdenek Grygera from Ajax and Italy Under-21 player Domenico Criscito from Genoa.
They are hoping to bolster the back line even more, possibly by tempting 2006 European and World Player of the Year Fabio Cannavaro back from Real Madrid.
Another defender on the shopping list is Real Zaragoza's highly rated Argentine star Gabriel Milito.
Juventus did their best business of the summer earlier this month when they extended the contract of Gianluigi Buffon, widely considered the best goalkeeper in the world, until 2012.
