Juventus Transfer Tips: Sampdoria's Giampaolo Pazzini Is the Answer

Good performances and results have been achieved occasionally by Juventus this term, and many observers, myself included, have clambered to recognise the return of the once grand Old Lady to her former glories.

Poor results have never been too far away however, and this is the reality facing Juventus in a season which the club has suffered two humiliating exits from European competition.

Cries of "This is the real Juve" have followed each triumph, but perhaps the team banished by Fulham is the true state of the fallen giant. Maybe what we saw at Craven Cottage was the mirror of our season, rather than the mirage we have viewed when things go well?

The difference between a mirror and a mirage? Both show images of things which are elsewhere. A mirage is an optical phenomenon which can be captured on camera, but what it appears to represent, however, is determined by the way the mind interprets what it sees.

This is a team that needs drastic changes.

One undeniable truth is that Juventus have not scored enough goals, and the group of strikers have underperformed. On paper Amauri, David Trezeguet, Vincenzo Iaquinta and Alessandro Del Piero look formidable. Reality once again reveals a harsh truth however, that they are too one-dimensional, that an injection of youth, pace and power is needed.

Indeed the team has lacked a credible goal threat for the majority of the past two seasons.

Sure, Del Piero has made telling contributions and will continue to do so. Iaquinta provides a great option when fit. His work-rate, selfless running and effort are fantastic. He has also added a good return of goals, and should be regarded as a valuable member of the squad.

What is required is a real scorer. A genuine goal threat who can stretch defenses, making space for Diego to exploit. These type of players are rare, but the lure of the famous Juventus shirt is always difficult to refuse, and the club has already made a number of statements regarding its intent to spend big again this summer.

A large portion of that budget should be spent on capturing Sampdoria's Giampaolo Pazzini, a player who not only fills all the criteria, but one who is clearly ready to take the next step and move to a club that can offer regular top level football.

Scandalously left out of the Confederations Cup Squad by Marcello Lippi last summer, the striker is a product of Italy's most successful youth system at Atalanta. His career stuttered at Fiorentina, but has sparked into life once more in Genoa.

Lippi will surely not repeat his mistake this summer when naming his squad for South Africa. Pazzo has 13 goals this season in Serie A, one more than Amauri and Trezeguet combined. Indeed moving on one or both of those two would help instantly recoup at least some of the outlay required to prise the striker from Sampdoria.

Still just 25, Pazzini will not come cheap, but his age means he can lead the Bianconeri line for a number of years to come, and would be an instant upgrade on the current starters Juventus have employed this season. He has the necessary technical ability to make the leap from 'Doria, and would be a sure-fire hit with the fans. His experience in Florence will also help him adjust to what is always a difficult club to join, with most players taking time to settle.

His acquisition would be a wise investment then for Juventus, a club in serious need of a successful summer to launch them into next season. Too much money has been wasted already due to incompetent moves in the transfer market, and the signing of Pazzini would be a good place to start the rebuilding.