Juventus Transfers: Juventus’ striker targets – ranked

Juventus’ striker situation is an interesting one; one that the club will seek to resolve in 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s stunning reunion with Manchester United in the summer caught the Old Lady off guard. The timing of the exit left Juventus with little opportunity to respond, and the club settled for a reunion of their own to somewhat mitigate against the great one’s departure.

Alas, Moise Kean returned from Everton to provide support for Alvaro Morata, fresh off a productive 2020/21 campaign, and bolster a group freshened by the arrival of teenager Kaio Jorge from Santos.

Unsurprisingly, goalscoring has been a serious issue for Juventus this term. While Allegri has rightfully earned his fair share of critics, the manager has often been compromised by some pitiful final third play by his front men. Morata and Kean have combined for six Serie A goals with Jorge yet to start a game in Bianconeri colours. Overall, Juventus are in desperate need of reinforcements, especially with Morata’s future beyond 2021/22 uncertain.

The club have been linked with various forwards from all over the continent in recent weeks and there’s no doubting that buying a new striker, whether permanently or on loan, will be explored by Juventus in the fast-approaching January transfer window.

Here are five strikers Juventus have been linked with, ranked from the worst to best option.

5. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Aubameyang’s Arsenal career is quickly unravelling. Another disciplinary breach saw him stripped of the captaincy by Mikel Arteta earlier this week and he’s been absent from the Gunners’ recent matchday squads.

It remains to be seen whether his relationship with Arteta is broken beyond repair, but there’s little doubting that the Spanish boss soon wants to move on from his former skipper. Thus, with the manager making do without him, Aubameyang could move on this January.

Juventus have been mildly linked with a move, but the reports are far from concrete. Either way, it’s a deal the club should avoid. Aubameyang’s monster wage at Arsenal should be an instant deterrent with his age (32) also an issue. Juventus are searching for their next long-term number nine, not a risky short-term alternative.

It’s worth pointing out that Aubameyang’s performances have distinctly declined over the past 18 months. The former Golden Boot winner was once the Premier League’s sharpest finisher, but he’s scored just 14 times since the start of the 2020/21 campaign.

Overall, this would be just too big of a risk for Juventus: Aubameyang’s salary, recent goalscoring form and sub-par contribution outside of the penalty area should deter the Bianconeri.

Continues on the next slide…