Juventus finalize deals with midfielders Hernanes and Lemina
MILAN -- Juventus signed midfielders Hernanes and Mario Lemina on a busy final day of Europe's transfer window for the four-time defending champion, which is off to its worst ever Serie A start.
Hernanes joined from rival Inter Milan in an 11-million euro ($12.3 million) transfer - plus up to a further 2 million euros in sporting-related bonuses - and signed a three-year contract.
The 30-year-old Hernanes, who has scored 40 goals in Serie A for Lazio and Inter, was the playmaker Juventus was looking for after attempts to sign Julian Draxler and Axel Witsel fell through.
Lemina, who turns 22 on Tuesday, moved from Marseille on a loan deal with the option to buy for 9.5 million euros ($10.7 million) plus up to 1 million in bonuses. Paolo De Ceglie and Mauricio Isla went the other way, also on loan.
Key midfielders Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo left Juventus in the offseason, moving to Bayern Munich and New York City FC. Forward Carlos Tevez also left, along with young talent Kingsley Coman.
Juventus, which also brought in Mario Mandzukic, Paulo Dybala, Sami Khedira and Simone Zaza during the summer, lost its opening two Serie A matches for the first time in its history.
Inter was also active on the final day and completed moves for Roma forward Adem Ljajic (loan) as well as midfielder Felipe Melo (permanent) and defender Alex Telles (loan) from Galatasaray.
Inter coach Roberto Mancini worked with both Melo and Telles during his spell in charge of Galatasaray.
Elsewhere, much-travelled AC Milan forward Alessandro Matri was on the move again, joining Lazio on loan. It was his fourth such move since Milan bought him back from Juventus in 2013.
The 31-year-old since had spells at Fiorentina, Genoa and Juventus - where he scored the winning goal in extra time in a 2-1 victory over Lazio in last season's Italian Cup final.
Fiorentina signed Jakub Blaszczykowski on loan from Borussia Dortmund. The 29-year-old midfielder made nearly 200 Bundesliga appearances for Dortmund since arriving from Wisla Krakow in 2007 and won the league title twice.
Meanwhile, Sunderland winger Emanuele Giaccherini joined Bologna on a season-long loan, while World Cup winning defender Cristian Zaccardo left Milan for Carpi, signing a two-year contract at the newly-promoted club.
