Arnautovic has been in great demand in recent weeks, with Manchester United and Juventus, among others, said to have been interested in signing the 33-year-old Bologna attacker. In the previous season, the Viennese scored 14 Serie A goals for “Rossoblu”, who do not want to sell their top scorer.
With or without Arnautovic – Juve want to return to the throne after two disappointing seasons with only fourth place each. “We have a duty to get the ‘Scudetto’, especially after the first season without a title in ten years,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri, who had rejoined the “Old Lady” last summer. “It’s our second year together, that’s a good starting point. We got very important players – experienced and young.”
Pogba and Di Maria most prominent additions
One of them is star midfielder Paul Pogba, who has returned from Manchester United. The French world champion laced his shoes for Juve from 2012 to 2016. Veteran Angel Di Maria should enrich the offensive after his departure from Paris Saint-Germain.
“Pogba and Di Maria are exceptional,” said Allegri. The central defender Bremer from city rivals Torino cost Juve 41 million euros. The Brazilian is expected to compensate for Matthijs de Ligt’s departure to Bayern Munich.
Three-way fight for “Scudetto” expected
From 2012 to 2020, Juventus had celebrated nine league titles in a row before Inter ended their dominance. A three-way battle between the Milan clubs is looming in the coming season. Outsider chances are awarded to AS Roma, SSC Napoli and Atalanta Bergamo. Inter are away to newly promoted US Lecce on Saturday evening, while Juventus only play at home against Sassuolo on Monday.
Defending champions Milan open the season on Saturday (6:30 p.m.) with a home game against Udinese. The “Rossoneri” had to cope with the departure of midfielder Franck Kessie to FC Barcelona in the summer. The Ivorian played a crucial role in winning the title. Coach Stefano Pioli received well-known reinforcements, especially on the offensive, with Charles De Ketelaere, brought in from Club Brugge for €32m, and former Liverpool striker Divock Origi.
At runners-up Inter, the transfer activities were also dominated by a Belgian. Striker Romelu Lukaku returned to Italy on loan after a year at Chelsea. ÖFB kicker Lazaro was awarded again. The 26-year-old, who Inter signed in the summer of 2019, will play for league rivals Torino next season. Lazaro has been on loan continuously since the beginning of 2020 – Newcastle United, Borussia Mönchengladbach and most recently Benfica Lisbon were the stations.
Aiwu third Austrian in Serie A
The third Austrian legionary next to Arnautovic and Lazaro is Aiwu. The central defender switched from Rapid to newly promoted US Cremonese last week for a rumored €3.5 million. For the 21-year-old, Lombardy is about staying up and gaining valuable experience against top Italian clubs.
One of them, AS Roma, managed a transfer coup in the summer. The Romans brought Argentina international Paolo Dybala to the capital on a free transfer after seven years at Juventus. Star coach Jose Mourinho can also count on Nemanja Matic and Georginio Wijnaldum for the Conference League winners in the future.