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5 players Juventus should target during the winter transfer window

By John Vaccaro

Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata (L) fails to score past Liverpool's Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet during the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 26, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images)
Chelsea's Spanish striker Alvaro Morata (L) fails to score past Liverpool's Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet during the English League Cup third round football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on September 26, 2018. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images) /
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FROSINONE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: Krzysztof Piatek of Genoa CFC scores the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Frosinone Calcio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Benito Stirpe on September 30, 2018 in Frosinone, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images)
FROSINONE, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 30: Krzysztof Piatek of Genoa CFC scores the team’s second goal during the Serie A match between Frosinone Calcio and Genoa CFC at Stadio Benito Stirpe on September 30, 2018 in Frosinone, Italy. (Photo by Paolo Bruno/Getty Images) /

Krzysztof Piatek: Striker, Genoa

This isn’t the type of signing that Juventus usually makes, but Krzysztof Piatek just might be worth the risk. Juve doesn’t tend to sign young players based on one impressive season (or an impressive 7 games), but the price seems right for the young striker. A rumor surfaced that Napoli has offered 35 million euros for Piatek, which would be a pretty reasonable price tag for Serie A’s 23-year-old leading scorer.

Juve needs somebody to serve as Mandzukic’s backup right now and to take over his role as he ages. Piatek would be perfect for both of these roles. Serving as a backup at Juve would give him valuable experience in big games without the pressure that would come with being a team’s main option in those matches. He could come off the bench late in knockout stage matches in the Champions League and against teams like Napoli, Inter, and Roma.

He has shown tools that could make him a valuable target in the middle for a team with an abundance of talent on the wings. Giving him the chance to show those abilities with a ton of service can only help his development.

The other factor here is possible “plusvalenza”. If Juve takes this chance on Piatek early in his career and his potential pans out then they can sell him for a profit later on when Moise Kean is ready to take over as Juve’s lead striker. That profit would help Juve balance their books in the future much like the sale of Caldara did this year, freeing Juve up to fill other holes in the roster as their defense and Ronaldo age. Yes, it’s a risk, but it’s hard to argue against signing a player who has scored in every match he has played this year when the price is right.

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