5 Players The Premier League’s Elite Could Snatch From A Waning Juventus

Following the admission of Juventus President, Andrea Agnelli that Italian football is in a state of decline; one can only wonder what the top clubs in England are thinking with the January transfer window soon approaching.

“Italy is no longer a final destination but a transit destination,” said Agnelli at the ‘Leaders in Football’ conference in London on Thursday,

“Look at what happened to AC Milan. They had to give away Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Thiago Silva to pay the cheques.

At the end of the day, you can be attractive. But you also need to have the economic strength.”

As sad as this may be for the neutral lovers of the game, the concerns of the ‘Old Lady’ may throw up some inviting opportunities for the likes of Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Tottenham in the upcoming transfer market.

Here is a list of five potential investments for some of the biggest names in the EPL:

5. Fernando Llorente – Striker

Having only completed his move from Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao last summer, the 28-year-old is already being linked away from Italy. Llorente has struggled thus far to break into the starting line up ahead of former Utd and City striker, Carlos Tevez, and Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger is reportedly ready to beat Tottenham and Chelsea to the tall centre-forward’s signature this winter.

With Olivier Giroud the only viable striker on the books for the Gunners, a January swoop for the Spain international could well materialise; and with the Juve president’s worrying words on Thursday, Arsenal’s chances of securing their man may have just improved.

4. Arturo Vidal – Midfielder

The 26-year-old Chile international is one of the best box-to-box midfielders in the game, and has been crucial to the ‘Old Lady’ over the last couple of Serie A winning seasons. Man Utd boss David Moyes had been on the look-out for reinforcements over the summer, especially in the midfield, and Vidal’s name was one which frequently came up.

Having missed out on Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas, Vidal also put paid to a summer move, saying,

“My family and I are happy here and do not want to go away.” [Source: talkSPORT]

But with the current Utd team struggling to churn out wins so far this season, and summer purchase Marouane Fellaini not gelling as well as Moyes would have hoped, another attempt at luring the Juve man could be on the cards.

A summer move is most likely, and any side with Vidal in the midfield is certainly a dangerous one.

3. Sebastian Giovinco – Attacking Midfielder

One of the smallest players playing for a top flight club, Giovinco is also one of the most blessed. Tactile, direct, and with devastating vision, the 26-year-old has proved doubters of his ability wrong time and time again.

With Liverpool boss Brendan Rogers creating a side of fantastic ability and guile, the addition of the minute maestro would arguably be a shrewd one, as it would help relieve the growing pressure on Philippe Coutinho to provide creativity from the attacking midfield role.

2. Andrea Pirlo – Midfielder

One of the most famous names in the Italian game, the evergreen Pirlo has been heavily linked to Spurs in the last few weeks. With his current contract almost up in Turin, rumours have been gathering pace over a move to the EPL, with former Chelsea coach Gianluca Vialli the latest to wade into the debate.

Speaking in his capacity as a pundit on Sky Italia, Vialli said:

“I’ve just received some rumours from London [that say] there is contact between Andrea Pirlo and Tottenham for next season.” [source: Daily Mail]

Now at 34 years of age, it remains to be seen if Pirlo has the physical attributes to adapt to the English top flight; but from a purely creative standpoint, his signing would be an interesting one for Andre Villas Boas.

1. Paul Pogba – Attacking Midfielder

When explaining the financial difficulties in the Italian game, Agnelli used the former Man Utd man as his key example.

“I’m trying to think what will be of us in two or three years’ time if we get a massive offer for one of the best talents we’ve got today, Pogba. Will we be able to retain him? I don’t know” Agnelli is quoted as saying by the Telegraph

“I don’t think, at the moment, we have the strength to retain such a player”

With Chelsea and Arsenal showing an interest, the Juve President’s warning could well come to pass, and we may see the fiery Frenchman back in the Premier League before long.

What do you think? Will Juventus’ struggles benefit some of the Premier League’s biggest sides? Let me know in the comments below!

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