The future of Boca Juniors midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur has been the subject of speculation for months but Juventus have now confirmed that they will activate their option to purchase the Uruguayan before the start of the 2017/18 season.

Bentancur was heavily linked with a move to Serie A rivals AC Milan this summer but despite the Rossoneri offering €15 million, a deal could not be reached given Juventus have first option since selling Carlos Tevez back to Boca.

Juventus director Beppe Marotta confirmed on Sunday, “We monitor promising youngsters, we have an option on Bentancur derived from the sale of Carlos Tevez and I think we will activate it.

“It is an operation we will make for next season.”

This appears to confirm that Boca president Daniel Angelici told ESPN Radio earlier in the week.

The 52-year-old was quoted as saying, “We met Juventus officials in Geneva and at this moment I can say that we are advancing in negotiations for the sale of Bentancur.”

Juventus will pay Boca €9.4 million for the 19-year-old and presumably Bentancur will make the switch to Turin at the end of the football season.