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Juventus has been the most dominant team in Serie A for many years, as their trophy cabinet suggests. That kind of authority in the league ended last season when the Bianconeri finished a distant 4th place on the final day of the match, 13 points behind Inter. Although they managed to win the Coppa Italia, the board ended Andrea Pirlo’s experiment by bringing back former manager Max Allegri. He will also be interested in helping Juventus transfer goals.
⚽️⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/YBuVEwkIAM
– JuventusFC (@juventusfcen) July 22, 2021
The club knows that they cannot afford a second season without the championship title. In this regard, they need to add reinforcement as their competitors are already buying players. In addition, the Old Lady is expected to have a more than decent fight in the Champions League as well. However, that does not mean that there is only doom and darkness. Last season’s Golden Boot winner Cristiano Ronaldo is more and more likely to stay in Turin.
Cristiano Ronaldo will stay at Juventus despite United links #mufc https://t.co/0wydOBokTz pic.twitter.com/apN0Q7ZU6a
– Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) July 17, 2021
Up and coming talents Federico Chiesa and Dejan Kulusevski will be vital this season as both cement their positions as legitimate starters. Evergreen duo Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci will certainly return given their successful euro partnership. All of this doesn’t mean they don’t have to go this summer, they certainly do and in that regard FootTheBall looks at Juventus’ transfer goals this summer.
PRIORITY NO. 1- CENTRAL MIDFIELD PLAYER
IDEAL OPTION – LOCATELLI MANUAL
The number one among the Juventus transfer targets. Locatelli has been a constant presence for Sassuolo in recent years. He is capable of playing both in the middle and as defensive cover for defense, which adds to his importance. Despite his role, Locatelli managed to score four goals and provided two assists last season.
🎯 Manuel Locatelli made more accurate passes last season (2426) than any other Serie A midfielder pic.twitter.com/WaSfIPVm2D
– WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 18, 2021
Its accuracy of fit of 88% together with a dribbling success rate of 75% underscores its importance. He had a breakout campaign with more goals for Italy and played a key role in triumphing at Euro 2020. This has led Juventus to turn its attention to the 23-year-old.
Juventus aim to beat Arsenal to sign Italian Manuel Locatelli https://t.co/7HyuIRvGDX By @FabrizioRomano
– Marcus Christenson (@m_christenson) July 18, 2021
This is an important position that the club needs to strengthen as the first choice options have not performed well. Aaron Ramsey and Arthur saw limited game time last season. Adrien Rabiot feels the pressure to be a regular at a top club. In these circumstances, the Locatelli acquisition will be something of an upgrade for Allegri.
OPTIONAL BUDGET- MIRALEM PJANIC
Should Juventus fail to achieve their first choice goal, Pjanic is someone the Bianconeri can consider. The 31-year-old played his best football with the club and was a threat from set pieces. He was sent to Barcelona as part of a swap deal for Arthur, and suffice it to say, neither worked out.
🎯 Miralem Pjanic was the only player in La Liga last season to average more than 100 passes per 90 (107.9) (over 15 apps)
😬 He plans to return to Juventus after just one season at Barcelona, by @Gazzetta_it pic.twitter.com/xGEUXZt88M
– WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 20, 2021
The Blaugrana are interested in firing Pjanic as they are under huge financial pressure and Turin could be a safe option. There have been reports of an exchange transfer between Ramsey and Pjanic, but it will depend on many factors. Ramsey’s wage demands must first be lowered significantly.
Juventus “offers Aaron Ramsey to Barcelona to bring Miralem Pjanic back to Turin” https://t.co/M5JgSDgmPX
– MailOnline-Sport (@MailSport) July 18, 2021
He is currently one of the top earners at Juventus, which certainly won’t be the case in Spain. Even if that should be resolved, will Pjanic be happy to return to the club that treated him? He could possibly as playing time was hard to come by last season.
THE quirky option from FTB – LEANDRO PAREDES
The PSG midfielder and youngest Copa America winner is someone who can raise the old lady right away. His two years in France were of great benefit to the development of his game, increasing his passing accuracy by 91% last season. Paredes is not yet an established first choice and there could be more bad news.
🗣️ “I can’t wait to see Parc des Princes playing in Paris Saint-Germain. When I played here with Liverpool in the Champions League, I was very impressed.”
🔴🔵 Georginio Wijnaldum = new midfielder in town!
: @PSG_Deutsch #UCL pic.twitter.com/b2ftNVYKhV
– UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) July 22, 2021
The signing of Gini Wijnaldum with the Parisians should push Paredes further out of the picture. With Marco Verratti at the start and Wijnaldum in town, the Argentine will shorten his playing time even further. When Juventus call it is hard to see that they decline the offer.
Juventus are looking for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Leandro Paredes as a possible replacement for Arthur Melo during his injury break https://t.co/LDazkfiI8O #Juventus #PSG #Argentina
-footballitalia (@footballitalia) July 18, 2021
However, it won’t be a cheap transfer fee. Allegri knows he doesn’t have a huge war chest to operate with. Paredes will be a solid upgrade and a combative player who is never afraid to tackle tackles. His presence could only help the team win the battles that often determine a game when he signs.
PRIORITY NO. 2 – STRIKER
IDEAL OPTION – GABRIEL JESUS
Sometimes in life you try your best and still don’t get the result you want. For years, Jesus had tried in vain to usurp Sergio Aguero as Manchester City’s number one striker. Last season could have been his best chance to show that he belongs there. However, Pep Guardiola put in a “false nine” more often than Aguero was out.
⏱️ Best mins-per-goal ratio in the Premier League since 2016/17 (50+ starts):
1️⃣ Harry Kane – every 108.1 minutes
2️⃣ Sergio Agüero – 117.2 minutes
3️⃣ Mo Salah – 127.8 minutes
4️⃣ Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 144.8 minutes
5️⃣ Gabriel Jesus – 148.6 min. pic.twitter.com/apclVPDBVi– WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 16, 2021
With reports suggesting the Cityzens are after Harry Kane, it seems likely that Jesus’ time is up. Juventus are said to be increasingly keen on the attacker. You will need to provide additional firepower to competently assist Ronaldo. Although Alvaro Morata stayed in Turin, that didn’t stop her search. City should get a decent amount of money for the player who made 13 goals in the league.
Juventus is ready to increase its interest in Gabriel Jesus, which could force Man City to make another Harry Kane offerhttps: //t.co/5ALKh6y8v0 pic.twitter.com/G3dHDtbx1Q
– Mirror football (@MirrorFootball) July 16, 2021
Allegri is said to be a huge fan and Juventus have the funds to close the deal. The only caveat that could undo the deal is that Jesus certainly won’t be a starter in Turin either. If a change of scenery and the chance to prove himself is his goal, Jesus fits perfectly as a transfer target from Juventus.
OPTIONAL BUDGET – KAIO JORGE
The 19-year-old Santos striker has been a regular for the Brazilian team for the last two seasons. AC Milan should also be the favorite for him with Juventus. Santos is asking around 10 million euros, which the Rossoneri consider too high. However, their bargaining power is weakened by the fact that Jorge’s contract with them expires in December.
2002 – #KaioJorge, Born in 2002, is the only player born after 1.1.2001 who has scored more than 5 goals in a single Copa Libertadores season (5 goals in 2020/21). Talent. pic.twitter.com/XgH0R7N01o
– OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) July 19, 2021
Juventus should keep all options open and Jorge is certainly a viable target. He had four goals and one assist last season and is expected to develop quickly. Allegri knows that given the presence of veterans, he doesn’t have to throw Jorge into the deep end right from the start.
Juventus are battling Milan for Santos striker Kaio Jorge, with his coach confirming that “several European clubs want him”. https://t.co/j9fO7fs7Qi #Juventus #AC Milan #Santos #LFC
-footballitalia (@footballitalia) July 18, 2021
The youngster will also benefit hugely from learning from some of the game’s top scorers. Jorge has the potential to become a real asset to the Bianconeri and, at such a low price, is certainly worth the risk. The ability to prevent their rival from getting it is an added bonus.
THE quirky option from FTB – PATRICK CUTRONE
It wasn’t easy for Cutrone in England. After signing for around 20 million euros with Wolverhampton in 2019, he fought for playing time. Wolves loaned him to Fiorentina and Valencia respectively last season, while other players at Molineux are ahead by a nose.
🥴 Patrick Cutrones 2021:
📆 January 7th – Recalled from loan
📆 January 8th – 12 minutes vs Palace
📆 January 12 – 12 minutes against Everton
📆 January 16 – 11 minutes against WBA
📆 January 22nd – 69 minutes vs. Chorley
📆 January 27th – 0 minutes vs Chelsea
📆 January 30th – Not in the squad against Palace
📆 January 31 – Joins Valencia on loan pic.twitter.com/lykBsDcOGC– WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) February 1, 2021
With the return of regular Raul Jimenez for the club, his minutes are sure to drop even further. Juventus can offer the Italian youth international player the perfect retreat to relaunch his career. Allegri will win a striker he can polish into one of the deadliest in front of goal.
13 – Patrick #Cutrone is the only player born after 01/01/1998 to score more than 11 goals in #SeriesA (13 goals for him). Sting. pic.twitter.com/hdo9YYgbno
– OptaPaolo 🏆 (@OptaPaolo) January 10, 2020
Cutrone can be extremely efficient when coming off the bench or even starting with Ronaldo at the helm. Building confidence in the striker will be key to getting him back to his goal shape. Juventus doesn’t need to go overboard when buying Cutrone as Wolves aren’t too much of a hurdle given their multitude of options.
CONCLUSION
Juventus know that they are not too depressed when looking for new players. Their appeal to European clubs is still great and adding some key pieces will benefit tremendously. Allegri and Co. know that they have to bring Juventus back into the silver dispute. The old lady cannot afford to go wrong, however, and with the ever increasing competition in Italy, a crucial summer is ahead. Juventus have a good number of transfer targets that they can keep track of.
