Transfer market, minus 3. A little over 20 days from the end of the transfer campaign (3 weeks to be precise), the Italian teams continue to negotiate purchases and transfers. To the delight of all football fans (including us), who love to dream so much during the summer. Negotiations after negotiations inevitably change the judgments towards the teams. On the other hand, it could not be otherwise, in one sense or another: if the purchase of Vucinic in fact makes Juventus more competitive (and consequently raises their vote), it automatically weakens Roma (and here, the judgment goes down). So let's give this week's judgments, which, as always, will make the fans discuss (someone will even get angry). But, enraged fans, don't despair: at the end of the market there are another 3 weeks left, in which everything, absolutely everything, can still happen.
Juventus 7,5
After the purchase of Vucinic, Juventus joins Napoli in first place in the market standings. In fact, the operation brings quality and experience to the Juventus offensive department, moreover at a low cost. The 15 million spent on the operation (among other things spread over three installments) are a trifle compared to the 43 that Manchester City spent on Aguero, or the 35 that Villarreal asked for Rossi. Marotta (perhaps primed by Conte) has taken on the only striker on the market capable of playing two roles: striker and left winger. After Pirlo, Lichtsteiner and Vidal, Juve got their hands on another player who, Marotta dixit, "serves to raise the quality of the squad". Now, the question that fans and insiders ask themselves is only one: as it stands today, would Juventus be competitive for the Scudetto? The answer is no, but with two more purchases it could become so. In fact, the defense needs to be fixed. A high-level centre-back is missing, one who can play as a starter right away, perhaps allowing Chiellini to be moved to the left (with Ziegler as a luxury substitute). Two names come up: Diego Lugano from Fenerbahce and Alex from Chelsea. Reaching one of these (especially the second), would mean significantly improving the defensive phase of the team, last year's real weak point. But it is on the left wing that Juve will play for the next championship. In fact, in Conte's game, the wingers are of vital importance. Bastos rejected (unliked by the coach), the hot slopes lead to Eljero Elia and Juan Manuel Vargas. The Dutchman costs less than the Peruvian, he has been on Marotte's notebook for some time, and Hamburg (unlike Fiorentina) would not make crazy requests. But to get to these names, you have to sell first. And here we will understand the ability of the Juventus managers. Sissoko sold (well), only loaned (but it could not have been otherwise) Felipe Melo, now Marotta must place Amauri and Iaquinta, without forgetting Grosso and Grygera. If Juve succeeds, then the transfer market will be completed. And Antonio Conte will have all the credentials to bring the Old Lady back to the roof of Italy.
NAPOLI 7,5
After the "barrels" of June - July, at home in Naples it's time for reflection. Riccardo Bigon worked all week on the transfer front, from Mannini to Rinaudo (both at Siena) from Cigarini to Bogliacino. This doesn't mean that the signings are over, simply Napoli have already completed 90% of their transfer market, so wait until the end of August to place the last shot. Mazzarri has asked for a striker, one who can alternate with Cavani without drastically lowering the team's level. In fact, Lucarelli's confirmation should be seen more as a refinement of the squad, given that the area ram (the one that perhaps solves scrum matches) never goes out of fashion. We'll see what happens, what is certain is that Napoli can already repeat the glories of last year. The squad has been lengthened, therefore, at least on paper, the Azzurri shouldn't have problems in facing the double championship – Champions League commitment. Of course, one thing is the training designed, another is the match on the pitch. Mazzarri knows it, that's why he is pushing for one last reinforcement. Which will surely come.
LAZIO 7
Claudio Lotito's Lazio resists in third place. In fact, the sale of Mark Bresciano does not affect the quality of the squad, given that the Australian had been on the sidelines of the team for some time. It would be different if Mauro Zarate left Formello, who, despite the chronic discontinuity, is a talent of undoubted value. The Argentine, it's true, has never bonded with Reja, but in some cases he has resolved matches with his plays (see Catania). And then losing it could be harmful. The Lazio week continued along these lines. Giuseppe Bozzo, agent of Zarate, was in London, where he met the directors of Tottenham and Arsenal, both interested in bringing home the Lazio talent. The fans are begging, Reja probably not. But the signings of Cissè and Klose are an added value to the forwards already present in the squad (Zarate, of course, but also Floccari and Rocchi), not a replacement. Otherwise the vote will be destined to go down. Beyond the transfers, however, Tare continues to work on the purchase of a midfielder and a central defender. During the week there were contacts with Cesena for Parolo (4 million offered plus Foggia), one who will not have the exotic name, but who would certainly bring quality and quantity to the Lazio squad. For defense however, the name of Coates, 20-year-old Uruguayan from Nacional Montevideo is mentioned. The young defender could be the classic surprise, but Manchester City are also on him. We'll see what happens, in the meantime Lazio are enjoying the bronze medal in this transfer market.
MILAN 6,5
Vote unchanged also for Milan, but the feeling is that the Rossoneri are preparing to climb the table. In fact, with Mister X, a quality player will arrive, one who (in the dreams of the Rossoneri fans) will shift the balance in Europe as well. At the moment, there are no certainties, but the rumors that followed during the week (first about Montolivo, then about Aquilani) are beginning to outline an increasingly precise identikit (and not bizarre, like the one drawn up by Galliani in early June). Names lower than expected, given that we were talking about people of the caliber of Fabregas, Hamsik or Schweinsteiger, but safe used cars can sometimes give excellent results. Undoubtedly, however, Milan's week was shaken by the Balotelli case. Supermario, fed up with Manchester, has in fact offered himself to the Rossoneri, and the operation, initially considered Fantasy football, is at least taking on the contours of reality. In fact, should Cassano and Paloschi leave, Milan would really have room for another striker. And, changing today's Cassano with Balotelli would certainly increase the quality of the Italian champions. The team seems to be fine, just two pieces are missing. We are waiting confident, convinced that Adriano Galliani, a true champion of the market, will once again give the long-awaited twist. What, ça va sans dire, could lead Milan to the market podium.
INTER 5
The Inter market is fixed, so the vote remains the same. Full insufficiency for Marco Branca and his staff, because, at the moment, the Nerazzurri are not improving. The problem (the real one) is that Radio Mercato brings alarming news every day. Not only are there no significant movements on the purchasing front, but there are increasingly consistent rumors of champions about to leave. Above all Wesley Sneijder, increasingly contested by the two Manchesters, United and City. Paolillo's declarations count for little if the person directly concerned does not deny the market rumours. Losing Sneijder means losing a good portion of the Nerazzurri's potential (guaranteed in large part by the permanence of Eto'o, he is indispensable). The Dutchman was Inter's light in the year of the hat-trick, the man capable of serving delicious balls to the feet of the strikers, and, if necessary, of scoring heavy, indeed very heavy goals. Selling him (albeit for a high price) is a big risk, provided that Inter don't already have a playmaker in their hands (the attacking midfielder doesn't fit into Gasperini's ideas) of absolute quality. But at the moment, apart from young Casemiro and M'Vila (surely promising, but unknown), there is no trace of them. The possible (but yet to be verified) arrival of Tevez would not solve Inter's problems, which need spare parts in midfield and in defence. The vote therefore remains insufficient, but the pen is ready to raise it in the event of a coup on the market (unexpected at the moment, but never say never). But also to drastically lower it, if a big player is sold without having a replacement ready.
ROME 4,5
The week that has just ended, he delivers to Roma the last place in the current ranking (it should be remembered) of the transfer market. Difficult to understand what is happening in the Giallorossi offices in the capital. The feeling is that not even Luis Enrique is succeeding, at least listening to his statements. “To create my Roma I need other players. I'm not Harry Potter”, this in summary, the thought of the former Barça B. But the club, at the moment, is doing the opposite of what its coach asks. The sale of Vucinic (in any case inevitable) weakens Roma. The fans know it, the players know it, especially the managers know it. Which, however, could also sell Borriello. But Rome needs reinforcements, not transfers. The problem is that these are hard to get to. Nilmar seems to be non-transferable, as well as Higuain. Hernandez could be an interesting bet, along the lines of Bojan and Lamela, but convincing Zamparini (who has already made ample cash with Pastore) won't be easy. But if the attack cries, the other departments certainly don't laugh. Lost Mexes Heinze arrived, too little: he needs another central defender, possibly of quality (Kjaer, but it costs too much). In midfield then, Luis Enrique would even like two players. Him too much grace, he'll have one. Lucho Gonzalez? Possible, but at the moment the parties are still distant. Fernando? As long as the price remains 15 million, it is impossible. The only good news this week (aside from the friendly won against Vasas) comes from Daniele De Rossi, who is about to renew his contract. Capitan Futuro hasn't signed yet, but in the meantime he has refused the transfer to Manchester City. His permanence would be the first step for the future. But DiBenedetto's promises (“We want to compete for the championship”), at the moment, have no basis in reality.
