Beppe's announced objective (even after the Llorente deal) is still to bring a top class forward and there is no shortage of those on the market this season. Higuain, Tevez, Jojo, Sanchez, Mario Gomez, David Villa, Cavani, Lewandowski, Suarez, Chicarito are all transferable targets and we do have the budget for atleast one of them strikers.
Suarez, Cavani, Falcao are very difficult to get and thats very understandable but if we end up signing none of the rest while Arsenal signs Higuain or Milan signs Tevez or fiorentina signs Mario Gomez then there is no way to defend Marotta anymore.
We are definitely more attractive than Arsenal, Milan and Viola and we definitely have deeper pockets than them with the exception of Arsenal perhaps (assuming they will uncharacteristically start spending).
Marotta has the more attractive club growth, arguably the more attractive wallet and definitely the more attractive coach than all our competitors who share the same objective (purchasing a top striker) and are after the same players that he is after.
If anything, Milan should be worried we are after Tevez, Arsenal should be worried we are after Higuain, and Fiorentina should be worried we are after Gomez. We have the damn upper hand here! If any of Milan, Arsenal, Liverpool, Fiorentina, or Inter purchase a top striker and we don't then Marotta is definitely a horrible transfer director.