Juventus have made a move into Germany. It is not the team, but rather the directors of the club. And they are not playing any matches, but are rather playing the game of the transfer window. And the way I see it, it can only go right for them.
The Juventus directors, including Giuseppe Marotta, flew to Germany early this week, with the intention of coming back with an addition to the Italian double-winning side. After the sale of Arturo Vidal to German giants Bayern Munich, the Bianconeri intend to fill his spot with a younger talent for the future.
There are three names that have been mentioned in the conversation of Juventus in Germany. One of them is Wolfsburg’s Belgian starlet Kevin De Bruyne. The 24-year-old moved to Germany in January 2014, after being pushed out at Jose Mourinho’s Chelsea, and went ahead and set a record for the most assists in the Bundesliga last season with 20. He also put ten goals in the back of the net. He is a bright young star, and would surely add to Juventus’ roster.
The second name, and possibly the brightest and shiniest one of the bunch, is Bayern’s own Mario Götze. The 23-year-old German international, the hero of Germany’s 2014 World Cup win, moved to Bayern from rivals Borussia Dortmund after the 2012-2013 season, just after Dortmund lost to Bayern in the Champions League Final. He scored 15 goals last season in 48 appearances in all competitions, including nine goals in the Bundesliga. He is considered to be one of the world’s brightest young stars, as even German retired star Matthias Sammer said in 2010 that Gotze “is one of the best talents (Germany has) ever had… He’s an exceptional player, has good speed, is extremely creative, and has outstanding technical skills.” A midfield consisting of 23-year-old Gotze and 22-year-old Paul Pogba is one that people dream about, and that you can only find in FIFA games, but it could soon be a reality, with two future legends on the field.
The third and final possible solution in Juventus’ search for an attacking midfielder is Julian Draxler, the German international for Schalke 04. Draxler is just 21 years old, and is another player who is considered to be one of the world’s brightest young stars. The midfielder, who is mainly used as a winger, is reportedly Juventus’ first choice out of the three players, and would also be the cheapest. He played in just 15 games in the Bundesliga this past season with only two goals due to injuries, which have been an acknowledged concern. Regardless, he is rated highly around the world, not only by Juventus, and also has been linked to Arsenal and Manchester United recently.
Looking at the three, any one of the three can greatly help Juventus in their German blitz for an attacking midfielder. Gotze is more of a false nine, and can play on either wing or in the middle. Draxler has said that he is comfortable in the attacking midfield spot, but is mainly sent out by Schalke on the wing, which he also excels at. De Bruyne is another who can play on either wing thanks to his speed.
Starting with De Bruyne, it seems like he is the least likely to end up in black and white stripes come next season. He is the oldest of the bunch, and Juventus have been linked to the other two far more extensively. In addition, Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici was quoted a figure of at least €60 million. That is a hefty price for any player. Gotze was sold to Bayern for €37 million. On Tuesday it was reported that after seeing the heavy price tag for De Bruyne, Juventus would scratch him off their list, leaving either Gotze or Draxler to fill the spot of Vidal.
News also broke on Tuesday that Schalke allowed Juventus to talk with Draxler about joining the Turin club and negotiating terms for a potential contract. Draxler would be the cheaper option to Gotze, but would also be the younger one.
While Juventus have been given permission to negotiate with Draxler, the fee is not set yet, and neither is his potential contract. Juventus have offered €25 million for the no. 10, but Schalke have been reported to want about €10 million more than that. A fee of €35 million may just end up to be a bargain for one of the most promising young players in Europe, injury problems aside. Draxler also wants a salary in the range of €6-€8 million a year, more than double what he makes now.
It is also worth noting that Draxler had a release clause of €45 million, which expired in June. Schalke, who just finished 14th in the Bundesliga, is already looking for a replacement, since Draxler sees his time with the blue German side as finished. One name that keeps coming up for them is Xherdan Shaqiri, the former Bayern and current Inter player, who has been extensively linked with a move away from the Nerazzurri.
“Corriere dello Sport” reports that Draxler has already reached an agreement with Juventus, but Schalke and the Old Lady still need to work out details.
Frankly, this move makes all the sense in the world for Juve. It is not a bad price for a player who, as long as he stays healthy, could rise to one of the best in the world. He fits naturally in the no. 10 role in Coach Max Allegri’s 4-3-1-2 formation, and since Roberto Pereya is the only natural no. 10 they have right now, they are going after the right position at the right time. If you imagine the likes of Draxler feeding the ball to Paulo Dybala, Mario Mandzukic, Simone Zaza and Alvaro Morata, that presents an attack force that is intimidating, powerful, creative, and very young (aged 21, 21, 29, 24, and 22, respectively).
Now consider if Juventus were to miss out on Draxler. It looks like it is becoming more and more likely every day, but if the club missed out on their number one target, they would move to possibly the best second target for a transfer we would ever see. Gotze is just 23. He is one of the best young players in the world. He has proven himself on the biggest stage in the sport. He has also expressed some displeasure with his lack of playing time under Pep Guardiola in the past. He would cost more than Draxler, and would most likely want higher wages, but he would fill that playmaking role just as well and naturally. He would also be able to play a little further back in the midfield, due to his all around talent and skill. He would pair with Pogba for a world-class creative duo that could remain world class for a long, long time.
Juventus have a hole to fill in their roster. They lost Andrea Pirlo, and have plugged that hole with Sami Khedira. They lost Carlos Tevez, and have replaced him with Zaza, Dybala, and Mandzukic. Now they have lost Vidal, and look set to replace him with Draxler, or even Gotze. Even if they were to end up with De Bruyne, Juventus would have made a great, talented, young addition to their club, as they look to the future and try to add to their already crowded trophy case. In the end, Juventus’ trip to Germany can only go right.
The post Juventus’ Trip to Germany Can Only Go Right appeared first on Italian Football Daily.
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