Juventus continue to revamp squad

Elia’s move from Hamburg will boost Juventus who look to reclaim their Champions League status [GALLO/GETTY]

Juventus acquired Netherlands winger Eljero Elia from Hamburger SV for $13 million on Wednesday in one of the biggest moves on the final day of the transfer market in Italy.

Juventus said Elia’s price could rise to $14.4 million depending on bonuses, adding that they have signed the 24-year-old to a four-year contract.

Elia was used as a substitute during the Netherlands’ run to last year’s World Cup final.

Juventus, who have revamped their entire squad for the second consecutive season, are also said to be negotiating a loan deal for versatile defender Salvatore Bocchetti from Rubin Kazan.

Other players Juventus have signed this offseason include: striker Mirko Vucinic; midfielders Andrea Pirlo, Arturo Vidal and Emanuele Giaccherini; and fullbacks Reto Ziegler and Stephan Lichtsteiner.

The 27-time champions from Turin failed to qualify for Europe with a seventh-place finish last season and are determined to improve this campaign.

A players’ strike postponed the scheduled start of Serie A last weekend, and negotiations were due to resume after the transfer window closed.

Filling Eto’o gap

While defending Serie A champions AC Milan said their final addition was midfielder Alberto Aquilani from Liverpool last week, Inter Milan were reportedly interested in signing Argentine forward Rodrigo Palacio from Genoa.

Inter have already completed a deal with Atletico Madrid for Uruguay striker Diego Forlan, but they might still want to bolster their attack after the departure of Samuel Eto’o to Russian club Anzhi Makhachkala.

Also, Palermo and Roma appeared interested in Argentina midfielder Fernando Gago, who has been cast aside by Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho; Napoli were close to signing Argentine defender Ignacio Fideleff from Newell’s Old Boys for a reported $3.17 million; and Michael Bradley became the only American in Serie A after the United States midfielder signed with Chievo Verona.

As Serie A continues to struggle with dilapidated stadiums, fan violence and attendance problems, the most expensive transfers this offseason were all moves away from Italy.

Javier Pastore left Palermo for Paris Saint-Germain in a $60 million move, Inter got $39 million for Eto’o and Alexis Sanchez left Udinese for European champions Barcelona in a $37 million transfer.