The 22-year-old defender has enjoyed a superb season at Eastlands but could still find himself on the fringes of the squad next season if City are successful in their pursuit of Ajax full-back Gregory van der Wiel.
Richards wanted to join Tottenham last summer and is again ready to consider his future at the end of the season, when he will have two years left on his contract. City hope to convince the Birmingham-born defender to sign a new deal but the player wants to keep his options open.
Goal.com understands Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta made an enquiry for Richards in the January transfer window and is ready to return in the summer as the Serie A club look to solve their problem right-back position.
The 27-time Italian champions have previously been linked with Liverpool and England right-back Glen Johnson as well as Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa.
The England international is believed to be willing to listen to any proposal, although a switch to Turin could depend on who is in charge of Juventus, with coach Luigi Delneri expected to be sacked at the end of the season because the club are almost certain to miss out on qualification for next season's Champions League.
Richards made his City debut as a 17-year-old in 2005 but has struggled to fulfil his potential, despite impressing this season as the club look set to finish in the top four and qualify for next term's Champions League.
He has a poor relationship with City manager Roberto Mancini after the Italian singled him out for criticism last season, while he was also unsettled by the Eastlands club's failed pursuit of Barcelona star Daniel Alves.
Richards has been out of action for a month with a hamstring injury but is expected to return for the trip to Blackburn on Monday night.
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