Milan were crowned Serie A champions on the final day as they defeated Sassuolo 3-0 away from home, picking up their 19th Scudetto, their first since the 2010/11 season. There has already been a vast array of players being linked to moves to Serie A this summer. So, let’s take a look at five players that could be heading to Serie A in 2022, including Paul Pogba, Angel Di Maria and Romelu Lukaku.
1. Paul Pogba
It’s official! Manchester United have announced that Pogba will be leaving the club this summer, with his contract expiring at the end of June. The Frenchman re-joined United six years ago from Juventus for €100 million, after previously departing the Red Devils in the summer of 2012. He now looks set for another move back to Turin.
The 29-year-old had a tumultuous second spell at United following his move in 2016 but still managed to pick up two pieces of silverware during his time there – the EFL Cup and Europa League in the 2016/17 season. Nonetheless, injuries and off-field drama have surrounded Pogba throughout his relatively unsuccessful period at United, particularly in his final season, which was injury-ridden, alongside subpar performances from himself and the rest of the squad as a whole.
Pogba has reportedly turned down a move to Paris Saint-Germain and is set for an imminent return to Juve as the Old Lady are now in pole position to re-sign the 2014 World Cup winner. Corriere dello Sport have also reported that Pogba has started to return his cars back to his garage at his mansion in Turin.
It’s seemingly not all about the money too, with Pogba set to take a wage cut after being offered a salary of €7-7.5 million plus bonuses over a 3/4 year period from Juve. The offer is also less than what PSG were set to offer Pogba but he wants to return to a welcoming show of support from the Bianconeri, disregarding the advice from his entourage that he should join the Parisians.
2. Angel Di Maria
It’s set to be a busy summer for Juventus who will already be missing Paulo Dybala and Federico Bernardeschi as their contracts expire this summer. Pogba seems to be one man that will be joining the side but another could be in the form of Angel Di Maria. The Argentine’s contract is also set to expire at PSG this summer and Massimiliano Allegri is keen to add him to his side.
Juve want to add quality and experience to their side as they look to bounce back from a disappointing season, finishing fourth in Serie A, getting knocked out of the Champions League in the Round of 16 by Villarreal and failing to win in either of the Coppa Italia or Supercoppa Italia finals.
Director of football Federico Cherubini is set to meet with Di Maria’s agent, Jorge Mendes, ahead of Argentina’s clash against Italy at Wembley, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. Di Maria was on a salary of €9 million at PSG but Juve are set to offer a deal worth less. One of two options will be given: a two year contract worth €7 million a year to allow the Bianconeri to save money via tax discount or a one year deal worth €5/6 million. A one year deal could be optimal for Di Maria as he wants to end his career at boyhood club Rosario Central back in Argentina.
3. Romelu Lukaku
Romelu Lukaku could be in line for a move back to Serie A, re-joining Inter after just one season following his £97.5 million move to Chelsea. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter have made contact with Lukaku’s lawyer ahead of a possible loan move, which will also see the Belgian take a wage cut to re-join the Nerazzurri. Lukaku wants to return to Inter, where he won a Scudetto under Antonio Conte, following a disappointing campaign with Chelsea where he scored just eight goals in 26 Premier League appearances.
Lukaku has fond memories during his time at the San Siro, not only winning a title but scoring 47 league goals in his two seasons at Inter, also making 33 goal contributions to Inter’s title charge during the 2020/21 campaign.
Representatives from both sides are set to meet to discuss a move but a deal is set to be complex due to the large sum that Chelsea paid for his services last summer. Inter CEO Giuseppe Marotta has indicated that they are in “no rush” to secure Lukaku but they are keen on a move.
4. Christopher Nkunku
With RedBird Capital Partners set to take over at Serie A champions Milan, they could be set to target Christopher Nkunku from RB Leipzig to add to their midfield. Franck Kessie will join Barca on a free this summer with his contract set to expire, so the Rossoneri need midfield investment.
Nkunku had an impressive season at RB Leipzig last year, scoring 20 goals and assisting 13 in just 34 Bundesliga appearances. The attacking midfielder also added four goals in the DFB-Pokal, as well as four goals in the Europa League, bringing his total to 28 for the season in all competitions.
RedBird are close to finalising a takeover at Milan and that could give head coach Stefano Pioli a warchest of £250 million to spend on new players. Elliott Management Corporation, who have been the owners of the Lombard club since 2018, have seemingly accepted an offer from Redbird as the Rossoneri could become one of the richest clubs in Europe.
The race to sign the Frenchman is hotting up with Arsenal, Chelsea, Man United and Barcelona all monitoring his situation, with the 24-year-old reportedly decided to leave Leipzig this summer.
5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka
The English right-back fell out of favour at Old Trafford during last season after a series of poor performances. New head coach Erik Ten Haag has reportedly decided that Wan-Bissaka is not apart of his plans as he looks set to initiate a rebuild at the Theatre of Dreams.
Roma are keen on a move but a €30 million price tag could make things difficult, with the Giallorossi preferring an initial loan with an option to buy. The Europa Conference League winners are looking to strengthen their squad and Jose Mourinho could look to his old club to do so, with reports also linking Roma to Diogo Dalot. The Portuguese international could be available at a much lower price of €15 million.