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THE OLD LADY’S SHOPPING GRADE

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The transfer window is finally shut. It means that the agents can get a breather and the players know what awaits them this season. The rosters are set and the squad building is complete till further openings. Each and every team made moves in the market giving rise to so many opinions. Juventus also tried their luck at the transfer window.

Juventus went into the window on the back of a disappointing Serie-A. They had some issues in the squad and needed to cover them well. The Bianconeri were never able to compete with financial giants like PSG and the Premier League clubs. And the pandemic hit the club in many ways hence impacting their summer strategy. In fact, a majority of the Serie-A clubs couldn’t spend big in the window.

The last-minute departure of Ronaldo opened up a spot in the squad. It also got a massive wage packet off their wage list. But late in the market, they weren’t able to earn to secure a signing to replace him. The Old Lady went on to sign Moise Kean on loan from Everton. Kean ironically left the Juventus Stadium as he wasn’t able to play regularly ahead of Ronaldo. Now he is coming back to replace him. This shows the chaotic bit of business done by the background staff at Juventus.

We at FootTheBall take an in-depth look at Juventus and transfer activity in this window and pass the verdict on how well they performed in the window.

INCOMINGS

Manuel Locatelli – Sassuolo (Loan with an option to buy)
Moise Kean – Everton (Loan with an option to buy)
Mohamed Ihattaren – PSV
Kaio Jorge – Santos

Despite possessing the massive Cristiano Ronaldo up top, Juventus failed to score when it mattered. Their midfield fell flat at times and wasn’t supplying the likes of Ronaldo, Chiesa and Kulusevski. So Juventus prioritized getting a creative midfielder who could play incisive killer passes.

In came Locatelli, who impressed with Sassuolo last season and stood out with the Championship winning Italy at the Euros. He was the number one target and Juventus signed him on a two-year loan deal with an option to buy. Anyone knowing Juventus’ business would certainly know that he would stay longer than that two-year loan.

With Ronaldo leaving, they needed a striker who could replace his 30+ goals per season. With Ronaldo’s move coming late in the window, they weren’t left with many options. They turned their attention to Moise Kean. Kean broke through at Juventus before leaving for Everton where he struggled for playing time. A fruitful loan spell at PSG followed, which prompted Juve to bring him back. But it is too soon to expect a 30 goal season from the Italian. Kaio Jorge, a promising Brazilian talent was also permanently signed. The striker would be eased into the squad gradually.

The biggest move on the deadline day was the signing of Mohamed Ihattaren. The Dutch striker is the youngest ever goalscorer for PSV in Europe and is tipped to have a great career. Juventus signed him from PSV permanently and instantly sent him to Sampdoria on loan. They might get a closer look at the striker before getting him next summer.

Also, Weston McKennie who enjoyed a brilliant debut season with Juventus was signed permanently from Schalke after his loan spell ended.

OUTGOINGS

Cristiano Ronaldo – Manchester united
Moahmed Ihattaren – Sampdoria (Loan)
Cristian Romero – Atalanta
Merih Demiral – Atalanta (Loan)
Radu Dragusin – Sampdoria (Loan)
Marko Pjaca – Torino (Loan)
Douglas Costa – Gremio (Loan)
Gianluigi Buffon – Parma (Free)

Perhaps the biggest and the most unexpected departure for Juventus was the exit of Cristiano Ronaldo. Despite rumours over his future throughout the summer, Ronaldo returned to Juventus training camp. He even came off the bench and appeared to have scored the winner against Udinese only for it to be chalked off. Just when things were settling down, he wanted to leave Juventus. Potential suitors were put on alert and Manchester United dramatically resigned Ronaldo.

With this transfer, they have chalked off Ronaldo’s massive wages. But they need to slog hard for goals in the final third.

New signing Mohamed Ihattaren was immediately sent on loan to Sampdoria. Merih Demiral was sent to Atalanta, who had to replace Cristian Romero. Romero was on loan at Atalanta and was sold permanently to them, who in turn sold him Tottenham for a tidy profit. Demiral was sought as his replacement. Douglas Costa is another high earner in the squad who was shipped off to Gremio. The Brazilian winger fell out of favour at Juve and was sent out.

And for the last time in his career, Buffon left Juventus. The veteran Italian goalkeeper didn’t sign a new contract and moved on as a free agent to his boyhood club Parma. This time, he won’t be returning to Juventus again, at least as a player.

FINAL VERDICT

Juventus were clearly hampered by the pandemic in the transfer window. In their limited budget, they have done well. As we predicted, they had two pressing concerns in midfield and in the final third. They addressed those issues in the form of Manuel Locatelli and Kaio Jorge. With Moise Kean also signed, they might be just sufficiently stocked up top.

Despite signing Locatelli who excels as a box to box midfielder, they need a playmaker. Miralem Pjanic was the perfect one for Max Allegri. Talks were on to bring the Bosnian back to Juventus stadium but the finances didn’t add up to Juve’s displeasure. They miss the midfield maestro to take control of crucial matches.

Juventus could’ve spent more to paper over few cracks in the backline. Their senior centre-backs Chiellini and Bonucci are ageing and won’t play all the games. The ever improving Matthijs de Ligt has only Daniel Rugani as backup. A fifth centre-back was always welcome into the squad. At left-back also, the squad lacks depth. Alex Sandro was hot and cold in the previous season and has Luca Pellegrini as a backup. Pellegrini returned from a loan this season and is expected to fight for the starting lineup. A quality left-back cover would’ve helped them. All in all, it was an OK transfer window that had the potential for so much more.

RATING – 6/10

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