The curtains have been drawn on yet another exciting Serie A season which, of course, makes way for months of transfer talk. Indeed, transfer rumors are something that can excite and turn off people in equal measure. Some of rumors out of the rumor mill seem outlandish while a few and just a handful of them have some amount of substance. But that is the general norm, papers have to be sold, transfer speculation has to be made. How else are we going to spend three months without Serie A?

When you’re Juventus, you are linked from anyone to everyone; a list that can range from the talents of Ali G to Chris Cornell to Gonzalo Higuain. The latter though, looks more likely to put pen to paper on a Juventus contract than the former two. It’s going to be a busy summer for Director of Sport, Giuseppe Marotta. With reinforcements the need of the hour and the hot pursuit of the elusive ‘top player’, Marotta has his work cut out for him.

The failure to lure a prolific hit-man, someone who induces fear into opponents’ defenses has been one of
the criticisms of the Marotta era. Robin Van Persie was close last summer but he slipped through the club’s fingers. With Fernando Llorente already reeled in on a Bosman deal, there is the money to entice another striker.

The players doing the rounds more recently have been Gonzalo Higuain, Stevan Jovetic, Alessandro Diamanti and Carlos Tevez. Higuain and Jovetic have long been known to be admired by the upper management in Turin and they do represent players that the club is ‘seriously’ interested in; two players who are well within the Bianconeri’s reach.

Jovetic possesses all the qualities that the Juventus front-line craves for. His dribbling ability and flair have allowed him to carve open Serie A defenses with consummate ease. At 23, Jovetic is young and will only build upon his, to quote Darth Vader, ‘most impressive’ performances. But while saying his goodbyes to Fiorentina this summer looks inevitable, Juventus as his destination looks a bit difficult. Fans of the Viola consider Juventus to be the dark side and could deem Jovetic’s possible move there a betrayal of sorts. An offer in the region of €22 million euros is in the works, but Juventus may also look at using a player as a sweetener for the deal.

Argentines Gonzalo Higuain and Carlos Tevez are also players thought to interest Juventus. While Marotta earlier claimed Tevez would be easier to pursue than Higuain, this could simply turn out to be a classic negotiation tactic to lower Higauin’s price. But, for a player that isn’t short of suitors, it does seem hard to see Real Madrid budge from €25 million stance. Higuain, 25, is undoubtedly an upgrade on the current crop of strikers at Juventus. But, you have to ask how much of an upgrade he really is?

His goal-scoring record in the Champions League isn’t the most striking, with just 8 in 48 outings, he hasn’t really set Europe on fire. But with age on his side, he has the potential to make a mark in Europe and Juventus may just be the side to help him do so. The arrival of a reliable goal-scorer looks inevitable with Marotta set to open his wallet and splurge on the one area of the field Juventus are short of a world class player.

But what must also be done and is equally important this summer, is the departure of a few players. Strikers will leave to make way for the ones that will arrive. Marotta has to remain stubborn with regards to players’ prices’ which could fund attempts for the bigger players. Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella and Paolo De Ceglie are expected to vacate their slots at Juventus and the funds generated should be poured in securing the high profile targets.

This summer is of paramount importance as Juventus prepare to take the next big step. A striker capable of changing the course of a game single-handedly, one that can open up even the most water tight of defenses is imperative. With the pressure of Antonio Conte’s demands for top quality, this summer could just make or break Marotta’s career as Juventus’ transfer guru.

Serie A Weekly Guest Writer - Chelston Dsouza

TRANSFERS UPDATE: As of 5 hours ago, Italian media outlets have revealed that Juventus have come to an agreement with Gonzalo Higuain regarding his transfer.