After admitting that Tiago and Sergio Almiron have failed to live up to expectations, Ranieri declared today: "They (Juve's backers) want a great team, we cannot make mistakes with our next acquisitions.

"We will have to manage our money well. Regrettably for us, we are at a disadvantage. Others buy to maintain themselves at a high-level, Juve to reach it.

"Nor do we have a (Inter Milan president) Massimo Moratti who can release £70 million."

Tuttosport says Juve have a £20 million-plus budget to make one major signing at the end of this season with Diego (Werder Bremen), Frank Lampard (Chelsea) and Deco (Barcelona) the top three names on their shopping list. Ranieri favours bringing Brazil international Diego to Turin in the summer.