'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Juventus have made a lot of shrewd signings in the last decade. Known as the king of free transfers, Juventus have signed the likes of Andrea Pirlo, Paul Pogba, Sami Khedira and Kingsley Coman for nothing in the last few years.
The Bianconeri have made some brilliant transfers that have allowed them to succeed on the pitch without spending a lot. That has also helped them build up the club's portfolio to expand worldwide and make some handsome profits. This was a key factor behind their acquisition of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid for €112 million in 2018.
Like most clubs around the world, though, the Old Lady have not always been spot on in the transfer market, and have signed some players who failed to live up to expectations. On that note, here are five such signings made by Juventus in the last decade:
#5 Eljero Elia
Juventus had high hopes on completing the €5.5 million signing of Hamburg winger Eljero Elia in 2011. The Dutchman signed a four-year contract, and it looked like he would have a bright future in Turin. However, things panned out differently for the player.
The then Juventus manager Antonio Conte wasn't much of a big fan of the youngster and reportedly went the entire 2011-12 season without uttering a single word to the new arrival.
Because of that, Elia's time on the pitch was very short throughout the season, as he made just five appearances in all competitions. And it looked like the Dutchman's confidence was shattered due to his poor relationship with Conte.
So it wasn't a surprise when he handed in a transfer request shortly after completing his only season at the Old Lady.
The Dutchman went on to have subsequent spells at Werder Bremen and Feyenoord and is currently a free agent after cancelling his contract with FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie.
#4 Marko Pjaca
Marko Pjaca's signing was warmly greeted by the Bianconeri faithful in 2016. After the Croatian international arrived from Dinamo Zagreb for €18 million, there were great hopes from the young and pacey winger.
Five years later, though, Pjaca has made only 26 appearances for Juventus. He had subsequent loan spells at Schalke 04, Fiorentina and Anderlecht, but the winger failed to impress at any of them. However, he was sent to Genoa last season, where he was a regular starter, playing 38 games.
The Croatian has been sent on loan again to Torino for the upcoming season with a reported option to buy between €5 million and €7 million.
#3 Emre Can
The signing of Emre Can by Juventus in 2018 from Liverpool on a free transfer looked to be a masterstroke, but it turned out to be an absolute disaster for both player and club.
The new signing was a regular for Massimiliano Allegri's Juventus in the 2018-19 season, playing 29 league games and providing an assist as Juventus bagged the league and cup double.
But after Maurizio Sarri was brought in at the helm, the German was immediately frozen out. Under Sarri, Can found himself not even registered as part of Juventus' Champions League squad, and only played a bit-part role in eight Serie A games.
His Juventus nightmare came to an end when he was sent on loan to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020 before eventually being sold to them the next season.
#2 Nicolas Anelka
Former Arsenal and Chelsea star Nicolas Anelka was a signing that excited many Juventus fans. But his short stint in Turin ended on a disastrous note during the 2012-13 campaign.
Anelka joined Juventus from Chinese club Shanghai Shenhua on a six-month contract in January 2013. The main objective of signing the French striker was to bring a bit more firepower into the squad. And with a prolific background in the Premier League, it was expected that Anelka would shine in Italy.
But the former Manchester City forward was unable to find the back of the net in three outings. Anelka returned to England the next season with West Brom before he retired in 2016 following a spell in India for Mumbai City.
#1 Aaron Ramsey
Aaron Ramsey might still have time to turn it around, but the former Arsenal man is currently proving to be one of Juventus' worst signings in the last few years.
His £20.8 million per year wage package hasn't been commensurate with the contributions made by the Welshman since arriving in Turin in 2019. He has only started 32 games, scoring seven goals and provided five assists.
The 30-year-old's Juventus tenure has been marred by injuries. The Welshman has suffered eight injuries and has been dropped to the substitutes' bench five times due to the same.
The Welsh midfielder has been linked with a return to the Premier League in recent months. But new Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has backed him to become a 'really important player' for Juventus.
