Andrea Pirlo does not envision Gonzalo Higuain executing his offensive plans and wants a new number 9 at the Allianz Stadium and, while Higuain sounds out offers from Inter Miami, Juventus are busy enticing Luis Suarez away from the Camp Nou.
The Uruguayan forward has no future in Catalonia and Ronald Koeman will not keep him even as a backup option.
A linkup with Cristiano Ronaldo in Italian top-flight football would be a no-brainer for Suarez. Except it is. Suarez is close to Messi and has been at loggerheads with the Portuguese during their time there. Giorgio Chiellini is also there, the man he famously bit during the 2014 World Cup.
Suarez, Ronaldo, and Chiellini are professionals and can get over their personal issues. But business issues stand in their way. The former Ajax and Liverpool star reportedly earn €2 million a month at Camp Nou. Juventus cannot offer this and Suarez will be reluctant to take a massive pay cut.
Andrea Agnelli vehemently spoke at the eradication of club revenues due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Turin club are struggling with financial issues as well. They will be hard-pressed to give magnanimous salaries to players who offer very little in return.
The sporting proposal entices all parties involved but it is their difference on the financial terms that separate them. This is why Juventus are looking at other options while Suarez also takes out time to evaluate the offers on his table.
Moise Kean is at the top of the alternative strikers’ list. The young forward impressed in the 2018-19 Serie A campaign with seven goals from nine starts. Kean has been terrible at Goodison Park and has been linked with a loan return. This falls perfectly in Juve’s plans to reinforce their ranks.
Alvaro Morata too has been tipped for a Serie A return. The Atletico Madrid front has failed to replace Antoine Greizmann at the Wanda Metropolitano and only scored 16 goals from 44 competitive outings.
His purple patch at Juventus and time alongside Ronaldo at Real Madrid are behind him. The current Juventus team offers him the circumstances that will allow Morata to rekindle his career. A loan move with an option to make it permanent is being looked at.
Arkadiusz Milik completes the alternatives list. The Polish forward is on his way out of the San Paolo after Victor Osimhen’s €70 million arrival. Napoli do not want to give him a contract extension and the current transfer window is their last opportunity to cash in on him. For the Old Lady, Milik has Serie A pedigree but question marks remain on his ability to go a season without a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
The three offer different better business prospects over Suarez given their age and mode of arrival. Moreover, like the Uruguayan, they are comfortable switching at the tip of Juve’s attack.
Juve have been shrewd in the transfer market, splurging when they have to whilst hunting for value in the bargain basement. The three players in consideration offer value but considerable drawbacks as well. It remains to be seen which player is fancied by the club’s hierarchy and makes his way to the Allianz Stadium.