Juventus are in the market for a backup striker, and there’s a more appealing name on the radar than Fernando Llorente or Graziano Pelle.
Although Juventus acquired a high-quality starting striker in Alvaro Morata on loan from Atletico Madrid this summer, the Bianconeri still need another No. 9. They don’t have any real depth at the position, as Cristiano Ronaldo, Dejan Kulusevski, and Paulo Dybala are all ideally wide forwards.
A number of names have popped up on Juve’s radar. Some, like Arkadiusz Milik, would be too expensive and too good to accept a backup role. Olivier Giroud could be an ideal option, but can Juve pry him from Chelsea? Then there are the cast-offs like Graziano Pelle, Simone Zaza, and Fernando Llorente who would do little to inspire Juventini.
Morata’s recent injury has made the need for a backup striker more pressing. And if he were to one day miss a big Champions League game, for example, would Juventus really want someone like Pelle starting?
In any case, a new name has emerged on the radar in Fabio Quagliarella, who is a long-time Serie A standout and is currently racking up the goals for mid-table side Sampdoria. Quagliarella has seven goals this season and once had 26 goals and eight assists for Samp in 2018-2019.
Fabio Quagliarella may not want to leave Sampdoria
The 37-year-old is slowing down a bit, but the former three-time Scudetto winner at Juventus remains effective.
Despite links to Juve, though, there is currently no reason to believe that Quagliarella is a serious option for the Bianconeri.
According to a report from Daniele Longo of Calciomercato.com, there is a “cold track” for Fabio Quagliarella to Juventus at this moment in time. Longo brings up the fact that Quagliarella is on the verge of signing a renewal with the club and adds that the veteran striker is not interested in leaving Genoa.
And why would he be? A reunion with Juve after Quagliarella once left the club for derby rivals Torino would be interesting, but there’s a lot of pressure there. With Sampdoria, Quagliarella plays every game, is the star man, and doesn’t really feel any pressure. He just gets the benefit of being “The Guy” for them.
For Juventini, Quagliarella remains an option to monitor and is a superior alternative to most of the other veteran strikers linked to the club. Giroud, though, may be the best choice.