Transfer Rumor: Juventus to turn to Karim Benzema in January?
Italian newspapers have rumoured that Juventus Director Giuseppe Marotta will turn his head to Real Madrid ace Karim Benzema in January’s transfer window. Juventus have barely managed a measly single point from two Serie A matches and things don’t look good for the club.
After spending in excess of 70 million Euros on transfers this summer, much was expected of the new looking Juventus outfit. But the interest in a striker so early in the season is a worrying sign. Juventus were in need of a striker and were in negations with Wolfsburg over a possible transfer of Eden Dzeko but the 35 million Euro asking price by the German outfit proved too much for the Bianconeri. Despite having a plethora of attackers at their disposal, the performances have been far from satisfactory. Vincenzo Iaquinta is suffering from a long term injury while Amauri also got injured in Serie A action last week. Even his form left a lot to be desired over the past months.
Fabio Quagliarella was acquired from Napoli near the end of Calcio Mercato but he was a tactical misfit in most pundits’ opinion. It was a 'filler' signing according to most experts which was very similar to AC Milan’s purchase of Klaas-Jan Huntelaar last season.
With the goals dried up, alarm bells have started ringing in Juventus boardrooms and Director Giuseppe Marotta has already started working for a possible transfer.
Jose Mourinho only has two strikers at his disposal in Karim Benzema and Gonzalo Higuain and he will be reluctant to lose either to a transfer unless he has guaranteed January reinforcements. The poor form of the supremely talented Karim Benzema might also work in the Old lady’s favor. Mourinho wanted to add another striker to his armory in the summer but was told to look in to the youth squad by the top brass. A potential sale of Karim Benzema might free up the funds for another striker.
Juventus are further rumored to be interested in the services of West Ham United wide man Valon Behrami, Palermo’s Mattia Cassani and Lazio’s Stephan Lichtsteiner. The full back positions have been causing headaches to the coach and directors alike and the two fullbacks might just solve that problem. Juventus will not want to depend on Zdenek Grygera who is not top club material. Paolo De Ceglie has not matured as the club would have liked while the new signing from Arsenal FC, Armand Traore is already injured. Juventus however will face competition from AS Roma for the services of Valon Behrami who are long time admirers of the Swiss player.
Tags: