Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Juventus and Gonzalo Higuain’s loan to AC Milan have hit the headlines in Serie A, but what about some moves that may have slipped under the radar?
With the Italian transfer deadline ending on Friday, we look at 10 moves you may have missed this summer.
Lautaro Martinez – Racing Club to Inter Milan, €22.7m
An exciting young prospect, Martinez made Argentina’s preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup but was omitted for the final selection. Strong, quick and powerful, the 20-year-old could be perfect for Inter alongside fellow countryman Mauro Icardi.
Alen Halilovic – Unattached to Milan, free
Rated as one of the best upcoming players in the world a few years ago, but the Croatian has lost his way despite only being 22. If he can reach his potential then Milan may have a star on their hands, but he didn’t set the Bundesliga alight with Hamburg.
Emre Can – Unattached to Juventus, free
Liverpool were powerless to stop the Germany international moving on and at 24, he has a lot more growing to do. Versatile and strong, Can might find Serie A to be the perfect environment, especially with the likes of Ronaldo and Paulo Dybala to do the attacking work.
Alban Lafont – Toulouse to Fiorentina, €7m
One of the most highly-rated young goalkeepers in the game, Lafont has chosen to tread the path of ex-France international Sebastien Frey by moving to Fiorentina. Only 19, the Frenchman will need to adapt quickly if he is to make an impression on the world champions’ squad.
Manuel Locatelli – Milan to Sassuolo, loan
A key Italy under-21 player, and considered to be one of Italy’s most talented upcoming stars, the 20-year-old midfielder will get a chance to rebuild his career at a lower level with an option to buy in the summer.
Rolando Mandragora – Juventus to Udinese, €20m
A highly rated midfielder, but with the wealth of options at Juventus he was never going to push into first team. It’s a big chance for the 21-year-old to get game time and show what he can do, with Juve holding a buyback clause of €20m too.
Milan Badelj – Unattached to Lazio, free
Badelj was linked with AC Milan a few years ago in a massive transfer but now he has moved to Lazio, after his Fiorentina contract expired, very much under the radar. The 29-year-old Croatian will have a lot to prove after he helped his country to the World Cup final this summer.
Duvan Zapata – Sampdoria to Atalanta, €17m
Expected to shine at Napoli, the Colombian striker never really took off. However, working under Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta he should be a key striker and get far more goals this season. This could be the biggest move of his career.
Francesco Acerbi – Sampdoria to Lazio, £9m
Lazio lost Stefan de Vrij on a free transfer to Inter Milan and Acerbi will be his replacement. He moved to Milan in 2012 with high expectations but failed to live up to them. At 30, he has the quality required and could make Milan regret not sticking with him.
Federico Marchetti – Unattached to Genoa, free
Marchetti was involved in Italy squad for Euro 2016, but lost his place for Lazio and has not really played for a few years. Now he will be Genoa No. 1 and takes the place of Mattia Perin, who went to Juventus. Much like Salvatore Sirigu did at Torino last season, the 35-year-old could relaunch his career at a smaller club.
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