The transfer open hasn’t been opened for very long but already there have been some major changes in the Italian Serie A. The Italian clubs wasted little time making significant moves that have turned plenty of heads around the soccer world. Here is a look at five significant transfers that have taken place in Italian soccer this summer.
Leonardo Bonnucci to A.C. Milan
This is undoubtedly the most significant and the most surprising move in Italian soccer so far this summer. Bonnucci is arguably the best ball-playing centre-back in Europe and he is clearly one of the best defenders in the entire world. His decision to leave Juventus after six consecutive Scudettos would have been a massive shock to Italian soccer fans on its own. The fact that he chose rival Milan as his destination makes this move that much more unbelievable. With the additions of Bonnucci Andre Silva, Ricardo Rodriguez, Mateo Musacchio and Hakan Calhanoglu it will be very interesting to see how much Milan improves under head coach Vincenzo Montella this coming season.
Borja Valero to Inter Milan
The fact that Spain is so deep at the midfield position is one reason why Valero is so underrated at his position. The reality is that he would likely be a regular in international play if it weren’t for Spain being so loaded in the midfield. Valero has been extremely consistent in the Serie A and his playmaking ability will be a major addition for Inter Milan. With Ever Banega returning to Sevilla, Valero could become Inter’s key playmaker in the midfield.
Douglas Costa to Juventus
The decision to bring in Costa as an attacking winger is an interesting one because there have been so few players like him in the Serie A over the years. Costa in a very skilled player that would likely excel in any system and it will be very interesting to see how Juventus deploys him. With Mario Mandzukic and Gonzalo Higuain regularly waiting for crosses in the middle of the field, Costa could fit in perfectly as a creative playmaker at Juventus next season.
Juventus was the top team in the Serie A last year, winning comfortably with 91 points. They didn’t have the best offense around – that honor went to Roma and Napoli – but they did have the third-most goals in the league with 77. Juventus allowed just 27 goals on the season, which was by far the fewest in the Serie A. No other team allowed less than 38.
Antonio Cassano to Verona
Cassano has been an entertaining player in Italian soccer for almost two decades now. It will be very interesting to see how he fares after he was moved from Sampdoria to Verona. The 35-year-old is still extremely talented but he will have to prove that he still has something left in the tank after being moved. Cassano will link up with his old friend Giampaolo Pazzini in Verona so there will be an opportunity to re-establish a level of chemistry and provide a spark for the Verona attack.
Josip Ilicic to Atalanta
Ilicic is another playmaker that is on the move as he shifts from Fiorentina to Atalanta. It seems like an excellent destination for Ilicic, who should fit in perfectly as a set-up man. Atalanta is likely prepared to tear up the system they played last year in order to build around Ilicic and his creative ability in the midfield. It will be very interesting to see how quickly Ilicic can establish a high level of chemistry with Argentine Alejandro Gomez in order to bolster the Atlanta attack. There have been no shortage of interesting transfers in Italian soccer this summer and Ilicic moving from Fiorentina to Atalanta is definitely one of them.
Atalanta finished fourth in the Serie A last season and will be looking to move up. On the year, they scored 62 goals and allowed just 41. Defense was their strong suit as the 41 goals allowed was the fourth-fewest in the Serie A last season.
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