Looking for a bomber jacket. The strategies of the big names in our championship revolve more and more around the number 9, incoming and outgoing. It doesn't happen often that Juventus, Inter, Milan and Napoli are looking for a striker at the same time, almost as if to drive away the Coronavirus nightmare with a deluge of goals. Let's start with the black and whites, determined to revolutionize the midfield and, indeed, to treat themselves to a brand new striker. Assuming the permanence of Dybala (the renewal until 2025 is already ready) and, barring sensational twists, of Ronaldo, the rest has to be redone. Higuain and Douglas Costa are on the market and Paratici, unlike last year, does not want to be found unprepared: a work of persuasion is needed right now, on pain of risking being blocked like 12 months ago, when Gonzalo himself, together with Dybala and Mandzukic, prevented the arrivals of Icardi and Lukaku.
Convincing Pipita to leave Turin will not be easy, not just one year (from 7,5 million net, it should be remembered) from the deadline, unless he is convinced to consider more exotic destinations, leaving top-level football in virtue of a higher salary (Los Angeles Galaxy), or a sentimental choice (River Plate). As for Douglas Costa instead the most likely scenario is a return to Bayern Munich, a destination he likes most, even if there is no shortage of appreciation from England (Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City) and France (Psg): the cost of the operation is 35-40 million, in front of which Juve would let him leave. At that point, Paratici would dive into income, with Haaland and Icardi competing for the number 9 shirt and the Brazilian Willian, whose contract with Chelsea is about to expire, to replace his compatriot.
It's no secret that Juventus director Icardi likes him a lot, as well as Haaland: different profiles, by age and technical characteristics, but equally appreciated by Sarri, even if many turn up their noses at a possible coexistence with CR7. Hence the rumors from Spain relating to Benzema, he is loved by the Portuguese, but at the moment they are not confirmed: Juve want a striker with whom to face the present, but above all the future. It is no coincidence that an attempt for Haaland had already been made in January but then it was the player, under the direction of Raiola, who preferred Dortmund, but now things could have changed also because the Norwegian, after goals in the Bundesliga and in the Champions League, he certainly wouldn't come to Turin to reserve. The release clause of 75 million authorizes you to dream, but woe to neglect the Icardi track, which has always been in Paratici's sights.
Here, however, things are a little more complicated because a lot depends on the PSG's strategies: should he redeem him, a negotiation could be opened, perhaps by inserting those counterparts that Leonardo likes so much (Pjanic above all, but also Alex Sandro), conversely, an operation with Inter is practically impossible. The only certainty is that Mauro no longer wants to stay in Paris, so much so that Wanda has already had contacts with Atletico Madrid, another club looking for strikers (the alternative, however, is her current teammate Cavani) . In any case, Inter counts a lot on the 70 million that would arrive from France: a nice little treasure that could help them lock down Lautaro Martinez, even if here the ball is mostly in his hands.
Well informed sources they swear he already has an agreement with Barcelona, but woe to think that the nerazzurri get taken by the neck. Marotta couldn't oppose the payment of the 110 million clause, but he doesn't seem willing to accept the Blaugrana's requests for a discount, grappling with a complicated moment both from an economic and corporate point of view. In short, the game is all to be played, even if Lautaro's will could direct it in a decisive way. Were he to leave, Inter would dive into Timo Werner from Leipzig, a profile very welcome to Conte (but also to Klopp's Liverpool), with Jovic (Real Madrid), Martial (Manchester United) and Osimhen (Lille) more detached and the Giroud and Mertens alternatives to complete the department.
In fact, the Belgian has not yet renewed with Napoli, so much so that De Laurentiis, fed up with waiting and determined to deprive himself of Milik as well, could opt for a complete revolution, flanking a great striker (Immobile is the dream but it is easier to get Belotti ) to the already taken Petagna. The blue number one also likes Chiesa, another name on the notebook of Inter and Juventus: a summer of clashes and spite, but also of alliances is expected. Milan, on the other hand, will not be in the game, determined to take a different path, made up of young players and a salary cap not exceeding 2,5 million. Of course, some exceptions will be made and this, in addition to the aforementioned Milik, could concern Tonali, on which Cellino however hopes to unleash an auction. But the Rossoneri, before thinking about the transfer market, must first of all clarify the key roles of the club, starting with the technical director.
Paolo Maldini in fact seems more and more a separate person at home and the articles released during the week, according to some "suggested" by him, in which he spoke of his requests to continue (carte blanche both on negotiations and on the choice of coach), certainly don't help. Gazidis has long chosen Ralf Rangnick to entrust him with the suggestive role of technical manager, but someone thinks that the Coronavirus emergency has cooled the deal, causing Spalletti's or Pioli's prices to rise again. And then there is the eternal Donnarumma affair to resolve, whose fate (renewal or immediate transfer) can no longer be postponed. Intrigues, dilemmas, suggestions: the magic of the market, capable of keeping football alive even in its most difficult moment.
