It is the most important stage of the summer, the one that precedes the final sprint. In the world of the transfer market, mid-August represents the calm before the storm. The executives enjoy a couple of days at the beach with their families, but the cell phones are always on and thoughts constantly fly to the negotiations. In this anomalous market where only the sheikhs have the money, we need to work even harder to build competitive teams, which make the fans dream, which allow them to aim for the big goals. Marotta, Branca and Galliani have many ideas, now all that remains is to implement them. Because after mid-August it will be the time for definitive choices, those from which there is no turning back. And that will condition the entire season, for better or for worse.
JUVENTUS
VOTE: 7,5
In our opinion, Juventus remains the queen of the Italian transfer market, and consequently the favorites for the next Scudetto. Marotta concluded various operations between June and the first half of July, then, thanks to the Scommessopoli affair, he took some time to decide what to do. Just the sentences in Rome (at least until the appeal) allowed the general manager to breathe a sigh of relief: Pepe and, above all, Bonucci can play, which means that the defense is in order as it is.
The midfield is the real flagship of the transfer campaign: the very titular Pirlo, Marchisio and Vidal were joined by Isla and Asamoah, in addition to the young Pogba, which makes the median qualitatively (and quantitatively) of another level, at least in Italy. So, you ask, why give only 7,5 to such a team? The answer lies entirely in the attack, decidedly incomplete and not very captivating compared to the rest of the squad. All right Vucinic, player of the highest level, all right Giovinco, young Italian with great numbers, but then the plate cries.
Matri seems to have lost trust from the environment and to tell the truth he doesn't do much to change things, Quagliarella is a reserve increasingly on the edge of the squad. No need to go around it, Juve need a "real" striker, one who adds the most important thing to physical and tactical work: goals. As we write, Marotta is negotiating with Athletic Bilbao for Fernando Llorente, a 195 cm tall, 94 kg heavy striker capable of scoring 29 goals last season between the league, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League.
The president of Athletic has officially put him on the market for the monstrous sum of 36 million, but it is a boutade. Llorente wants to leave Bilbao, with which he still has only one year of contract. Juve is waiting, meanwhile thinking about the alternative, which at the moment is called Edin Dzeko. The Bosnian (another "bull" in the area, 193 cm by 84 kg) is tired of being on the bench in Manchester City, and would not disdain a black and white future at all. If Mancini manages to get a new striker (perhaps Llorente himself…), the deal would become possible. The Pazzini operation should be considered separately, with Quagliarella ready to move to Inter.
INTER
VOTE: 6
Without infamy and without praise. As it is, the Inter license plate 2012/13 is not yet well defined. To date, the Nerazzurri still don't seem competitive to return to the top levels, but the transfer market is long (15 days is a long time...) and anything can happen. Let's be clear: iBranca and Ausilio's work is still on the high seas, in purchases and sales. In strict alphabetical order, Julio Cesar, Maicon and Pazzini remain to be placed, all at the center of rather complicated negotiations. The goalkeeper is negotiating with Tottenham, but his high salary (4,5 million per season) and the will not to cancel his contract with Inter (expiring in 2014) complicate things.
Eventually Julio will leave Milan, as will Pazzini (who could be part of an exchange with Quagliarella) and, probably, Maicon. The "Colosso" is the least transferable of all, also because there are certainly no full-backs around with his (overflowing) characteristics. However, the contract expiring in 2013 makes it difficult for him to remain, also because, at least for the moment, there is no basis for renewing it. Therefore the Nerazzurri will lose three important pieces, of which only Julio Cesar already has a replacement.
If Maicon leaves (on him Manchester City and Real Madrid, in addition to the usual Psg) Alvaro Pereira, left full-back (but also able to play on the right) of Porto will probably arrive. An interesting solution, which could retrace the (fortunate) footsteps of Guarin. But it is above all the midfield and attack that need reinforcements. There in the middle, apart from Guarin, there is a lack of fresh legs and lungs, which is why Inter want Nigel De Jong at all costs. The Dutchman wants to leave Manchester, and City aren't asking for much (about 6 million). The problem is represented by the salary, given that De Jong wants 3 million a season.
A deal that will be done, even if maybe it will take a few more days. But the real blow will have to come up front. With Lucas gone, Inter are looking for an offensive winger and right now there are two hot names: Aaron Lennon from Tottenham and Gaston Ramirez from Bologna. The former is liked by him because he's a broader player, furthermore the negotiation between the English and Julio Cesar could lead the way. But Villas-Boas estimates the boy at between 16 and 18 million, decidedly too much for Massimo Moratti's budget.
Ramirez, on the other hand, has different characteristics (more playmaker), but Stramaccioni is convinced he can be used in various roles. Bologna are asking for 20 million, Branca will try to lower the figure (to 15) but above all to insert technical counterparts, such as Juan Jesus, who Pioli likes a lot. Situation in progress therefore, for a team that could still undergo enormous changes. A bit like our vote, currently stuck on a sufficiency stretch.
MILAN
VOTE: 5-
Half a vote more for the purchase of Zapata, taken on very favorable terms. For the rest, the Milan market is low profile, and there are no twists and turns on the horizon. Needless to deceive the fans, the budget imposed by the Berlusconi family will not allow Galliani to buy top players, except perhaps the return of Kakà, provided that the Brazilian can still consider himself part of that category. Milan's hopes are once again pinned on the CEO, a skilled strategist and old sea dog on the transfer market, but this time the undertaking seems to be too difficult even for him.
Replacing Thiago Silva and Ibrahimovic is almost impossible, especially if the leeway does not go beyond the loan with the right to buy back. The Rossoneri will try with Zapata and Acerbi (but watch out for Mexes who could leave), a young couple to be discovered, then maybe they will reinforce the left wing (Dossena is still a possible shot), finally they will go on a striker, probably one between Matri and Borriello. The former is the favorite for a whole series of reasons, ranging from his character (decidedly milder than the Roma player) to his salary, but Juve, at least for the moment, demands immediate payment.
Getting to Borriello would be easier (Roma would accept the loan), but the AC Milan environment is skeptical about the return of a player not at all loved by fans and former teammates. Then there would be a need to reinforce a midfield that appears too muscular, but these days you can't expect too much. To date, Milan's realistic goal is qualification for the next Champions League, which is essential for the company's coffers. If this were to fail, then the sacrifices Ibra and Thiago would have been useless. Galliani knows it and Berlusconi is even more aware of it. Or at least that's what the Rossoneri fans are hoping for.
