Juventus’ search for a world class striker continues, despite their continual links to a number of prominent attackers from all round the continent.
Atletico Madrid’s Sergio Aguero was their main priority of the summer, although recent comments made by the Argentine international seem to have effectively ended any hope the Bianconeri have of luring him to their club.
No desire
Aguero recently revealed that he has no desire to play in Italy, meaning he is therefore targeting a move to England or is hopeful of remaining in Spain, as he views those two competitions as the strongest in the continent.
“I would prefer to play in Spain or in England, as these are the two best [football] countries,” he told La Red.
“Real Madrid or another club? I bet on whichever one. I made it clear in the statement [I handed to Atletico] about what I thought. I cannot see myself with Atletico and I will seek the best for me, I know that my representatives are working on this, and now I do not want to think about it.”
Pursuing their interest in a player who has no desire to play in Serie A would be a complete waste, particularly given the €40 million plus transfer fee the Bianconeri would have to hand over, in order to land the 23-year-old.
Madrid duo content
Real Madrid duo Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain were also touted as potential additions to the squad, however they too are seemingly content with life in Madrid at present, and therefore no progress has been made on that front.
Despite Real’s Aguero links, as well as the likelihood of the arrival of Brazilian starlet Neymar, the pair are reportedly eager to prove their worth under coach Jose Mourinho once again next season.
Tevez heading home
Carlos Tevez was the other big name target on the club’s agenda, however if the latest reports are anything to go by, the Manchester City hitman is on his way back home to South America, to rejoin his former club Corinthians in Brazil.
The Argentine striker has been closely monitored by Serie A giants Inter Milan, although family reasons are edging him closer to a return home.
Which leaves Giuseppe Rossi – a man who has been tracked by the Bianconeri for several seasons since he joined Villarreal from Manchester United back in 2007. The Old Lady simply must sign the young Italian immediately, in order to avoid letting another star slip through the cracks.
Season from hell
Juve’s performance in the 2010/11 Serie A season was undoubtedly one of the most disappointing in the club’s entire history – referred to by many as the season from hell.
Finishing in seventh place, and struggling for large parts of the campaign, the Bianconeri failed to challenge on all fronts, and incredibly did not even manage to qualify for the Europa League this term.
Whilst there were evident problems both on and off the pitch, one area that has been highlighted by the club is in attack, and has been reaffirmed on several occasions that a world-class striker is essential, if they are to seriously contend for the 2011-12 Scudetto.
Rossi holds the key
Rossi could very well be the man that Juventus are in need of, and he could very well be the man that holds the key to their chances of success next season. Despite finishing third on the goal scoring charts – behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi – in La Liga last term, the 24-year-old would definitely be enticed by the opportunity to return home.
The American born striker surprisingly has only six months of experience in Serie A – with that being a loan spell at Parma from United back in 2007, however from his experiences of playing in Spain and his continual improvement, particularly over the past 12 months with the Italian national team, Rossi undoubtedly has a great deal to offer the club.
Juventus should therefore drop all interest elsewhere, and focus their attention towards signing Rossi, a man who will make a difference up front – unlike a large majority of recent signings the club has made over the past few seasons, who have gone on to have minimal to no impact whatsoever.
Decisive week
The player’s agent, Federico Pastorello, recently declared that this week will be a ‘decisive’ one for the future of his client. Despite there still being a reported €5 million between the two clubs, it will be a fee well worth spending, if his arrival brings success this season.
“I believe, in any case, that this week will be a decisive one between Villarreal and Juventus,” Pastorello told Sky Sport Italia on Monday. “The technical terms have been sorted, and now the economic details of the transfer are being analysed.
“I am optimistic, but transfers at this level can sometimes be a little complicated. The right economic offer that justifies Rossi’s move to Juventus must be made.”
Italian force
Sure the Parma youth product won’t solve every single one of the club’s problems, but for so many years now, Juve have relied on their talismanic skipper Alessandro Del Piero to carry the workload in attack. With Rossi thrown into the fray, alongside the likes of Alessandro Matri and Fabio Quagliarella, the Bianconeri are finally beginning to look like a force in Italian football once again.
Unlike Aguero, Tevez, Benzema and Higuain, the Italian hitman will have the mental desire and determination, coupled with his talent and class, to lead the Bianconeri’s revival, in order to restore the reputation of the club, the competition and the country, which has still failed to recover from the Calciopoli match fixing scandal that rocked the nation back in 2006.
And despite mainly playing as a centre forward, Rossi’s pace and agile nature means that he could adapt well in a wide position, in new coach Antonio Conte’s 4-2-4 set-up, which he plans to utilize this season.
Rossi may only be 24, but with so much talent and so much promise, he is a player that Juventus simply cannot afford to miss out on.
Should Juventus do everything within their power to sign Giuseppe Rossi as soon as possible?
- Soccer News Like
- Be the first of your friends!
