Higuaín, an ‘error’ of 120 million

The signing of Gonzalo Higuaín by Juventus brought more than the Neapolitan rejection of moving from the southern partenopean rebel just as they were closer to culminating the Juventine reign. In a report published this Tuesday by Gazzetta dello Sport, the Argentine forward appears as the tip of the iceberg of a Juventus transfer policy that aspired to conquer Europe and it has ended with the end of the most important winning cycle in Italy and that has cost the club an approximate figure of 500 million euros.

The start of this policy is in 2016 just after the departure of Paul Pogba. The Frenchman’s departure leaves the coffers full and the recent European runner-up (final lost in 2015 against Barcelona) invite the undertaking of an ambitious transfer plan. After the departure of the French midfielder, Juve paid 91 million euros to Napoli and gave Higuaín a token of 7.5 million euros a year, 3 million more than that of the still United player who was the best paid until his departure. They consider that the total expense in the Pipita was 122 million euros, the aforementioned transfer being the aforementioned transfer, 45 in salary (plus compensation) 4 million euros in ancillary expenses and all subtracted the 18 million for their assignments to Milan and Chelsea.

This appears as the first ‘bad’ investment of the bianconeri considering that their first two years were key for both league victories (32 and 23 goals between all competitions), But his decline in 2018 was remarkable and made it impossible to justify the investment himself.

Next on the list is Douglas Costa, whose numerous injuries have made it almost impossible to perform in Turin. Another bad investment of 87 million euros. The podium in this total of 500 million is closed by Arthur. The Brazilian, who was beginning to fit in in Barcelona, ​​was traded in a trick by Pjanic that did not satisfy either the clubs or any of the players. This has not returned to its best level and his change of agent (he goes to P&P Management, by Federico Pastorello) only points to an exit from Turin. Total spending on the Brazilian goes up to 85 million euros.

The list until the total is completed by two outstanding players from Serie A who did not triumph in Turin Bernardeschi (€ 73 million) and Kulusevski (€ 49 million) as well as some of the latest free agents signed such as Ramsey (€ 44 million) or Rabiot (€ 29 million). Also appear in the list Pjaca (€ 32 M) and the Argentine international and now Tottenham player, Cuti Romero (10 M €). DWhere before the successes were succeeded, with Pirlo as the great exponent of the aim in the zero cost of the Juventinos, now few names stand out.

Cristiano is the exception

In this policy of assault on the world elite that proved unsuccessful, the Gazzetta dello Sport only saves one notable investment in its report: that made by Cristiano Ronaldo.

They consider that the Portuguese contributed a more than remarkable performance within the green, although he no longer reached the figures he did in Madrid, and also outside it. The brand image of the Turin club was triggered in addition to the entry of sponsors who saved an investment that Gazzetta figures in total at 277 million euros between transfer, salary, various expenses derived from the operation and subtracting the transfer paid by Manchester United.

101 goals in three seasons and everything that Madeira attracts behind justified the figures, although failed to break the European ‘curse’.