Juventus president Giovanni Cobolli Gigli has revealed the club’s transfer plans for the summer, but dodged questions on who the team has in mind.
The chief has spoken of a far-reaching project, claiming his club have the financial means to enjoy a decent business campaign during the transfer window. However, despite Antonio Cassano being constantly linked with the club, Gigli was reluctant to share names.
“I don’t intend to name, but [Jean-Claude] Blanc has always stated our objective is to find a replacement for [Pavel] Nedved,” Gigli told Sky Sport Italia. “Nothing is impossible, but I cannot reveal any names. Juventus will balance the books this year thanks to the Champions League and this is important both from the economic and sports point of view. It’s clear that there will be some action, but no real major departures. All clubs have to find the right balance between income and expenditure.”
With the transfer window still some distance away, Gigli preferred to focus on matters closer to home and, in particular, the Scudetto race.
Juventus still believe in overhauling Inter, however that belief is being played down. Gigli knows his side face upheaval, but is determined to show that plans for glory remain unaltered.
“Juve have a 30 percent chance of winning the Scudetto. We still have to face-off with Inter. The probability is reduced, but we still believe,” concluded the chief.
In a related interview Juventus chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc said on Wednesday that the Italian giants will sign a star player in the summer.
“I’m not talking about the transfer market but what I can tell you is that we will buy a star player,” Frenchman Blanc told investors at a conference in Milan. “One who can herald a new era of success.”
Juve are not out of the championship race but will need to not lose any more ground on Inter ahead of the pair’s clash in Turin next month.
Were they to win that and reduce the gap between the two to no more than four points, Juve would certainly be in with a chance of claiming their first title since 2003.
“We’ll see what shape we’re in at the direct clash between the two teams,” added Blanc. “Until it’s mathematically impossible, we’ll keep fighting.”
