Don't blame Marotta, blame Agnelli and Elkann.
How do you buy someone with no money? No one will take a loan deal for a great player (there are exceptions however - feuds, disagreements, etc) but still its very, very difficult.
In the summer he signed Krasic, Bonucci, and Martinez. He got us Quag, Aquilani, Pepe, etc.
Like c'mon guys, lets see what he can do when he has the money and resources at his disposal.