Bengaluru, August 27: Schalke defender Benedikt Howedes is on the verge of joining Serie giants Juventus, according to the German defender's agent.

The 29-year-old was also linked with a move to Liverpool earlier in the transfer window however it is believed that the Italian champions are currently in advanced talks and close to a €10million move.

The German international was linked with a move to Turin in recent couple of days and most of the reports in Italy announced that the agreement was very near to being finished.

Juventus chief Giuseppe Marotta on Thursday (August 24) said a deal for Howedes is more than logical, however, Schalke Sporting director Christian Heidel denied the speculation and told Reviersport: "There is no contact with Juventus.

"Mr Marotta did not speak with anyone here. If he wants to talk about Benedikt with me, that would be the legitimate approach."

Addressing the speculation, Heidel said: "Howedes was at Inter yesterday, it's Juve today, and maybe it's Liverpool tomorrow."

But now to assure any truth in the offer, the player's agent Volker Struth has come out and hinted to German media that an agreement is being worked out and stated a deal was very near.

"Juve wants it, Benedikt Howedes wants it – we have an agreement in principle. Now Schalke must want it, too," Struth told Bild.

Howedes is at Schalke since 2001 however after the arrival of new coach Domenico Tedesco, he has fallen out with him and the manager eventually took the captain's armband away from Howedes and then left the centre-back on the bench for their Bundesliga opening 2-0 win last weekend.

Howedes has shown up for Germany 44 times, scoring two goals and in the meantime won one World Cup with them.