Southampton striker Dani Osvaldo moved closer to signing for Juventus on Friday with several reports from Italy claiming the player was undergoing a medical in Turin.

Osvaldo, who quit Roma last summer to sign for Southampton in a four-year deal worth a reported £12.8 million ($21.2 million, 15.8 million euros), is expected to sign for the Serie A champions on loan until the end of the season.

The deal would include an option to buy set at between 18 and 20 million euros.

Osvaldo's return to Serie A would come as little surprise, given the Argentinian-born Italian's turbulent season at the southern English club, for whom he has made only 12 appearances to date, scoring three goals.

Southampton recently suspended him for two weeks following a training-ground clash with team-mate Jose Fonte, while he was given a three-match ban by the Football Association for his role in a brawl at Newcastle United last month.

And, when asked if Osvaldo could play for Southampton again after the incident with Fonte, manager Mauricio Pochettino said: "Your question answers itself, if you know what I mean; meaning no. It's clear."

On the reported interest from Juventus, Pochettino added: "We have to wait. There is still a day and a half left and he is suspended at the moment and we shouldn't get ahead of ourselves.

"As soon as anything happens about this matter, the club will make it public. It's clear this is something that no one expects. It's completely unpredictable and something we did not expect.

"In light of that, there is no explanation I can give."

On Thursday Juventus striker Fabio Quagliarella, used sparingly by coach Antonio Conte, reportedly turned down the chance of a move to Premier League side Cardiff City.

However the expected arrival of Osvaldo, which would add to an already ample forward line which notably features Fernando Llorente, Carlos Tevez, Mirko Vucinic and Sebastian Giovinco, could help change Quagliarella's mind.

Osvaldo's arrival is also expected to prompt transfer action regarding Vucinic, who has fallen out of favour and has recently been linked to moves to Spain and France.