After a frantic deadline day that saw a host of players move clubs in Serie A and across Europe, now is the time to take a look and assess how the clubs in Serie A have performed in the January transfer window. Juventus have been very busy of late and a number of key incomings and outgoings could change their disappointing season so far. Serie A leaders Inter strengthened over the month to bolster their charge for a second consecutive Scudetto, whilst challengers Milan and Napoli did not do as much business as they could have as they look to make up a four point lead behind the Nerazzurri. So, let’s get into our January Transfer Window ratings.
Juventus – 9/10
Of course, the Old Lady stole the show this window after they saw a total of seven players move at their disposal. The headline deal of the window was certainly the signing of Dusan Vlahovic from Fiorentina for €75 million. The Young Player of the Year in Serie A celebrated his 22nd birthday by undergoing a medical in Turin, turning down a host of Premier League offers to join Max Allegri and Co.
Juventus have underperformed so far and sit in fifth position in Serie A, having scored less goals than their rivals around them – they rank 11th in goals scored in the league this season. Moise Kean and Alvaro Morata have struggled for goals this season and have ultimately failed to lead the line in Turin but the signing of the joint-top goalscorer in Serie A should really give the Bianconeri a real boost, also considering that Federico Chiesa will be out for the rest of the season due to injury.
Key departures were also important for Juve as they needed to balance the books following the expensive signing of Vlahovic. Rodrigo Bentancur joined Antonio Conte at Tottenham in a deal that could be worth around €25 million, whilst Dejan Kulusevski also headed to North London in an 18-month loan deal that will cost Spurs just under €10 million. Juve have managed to recoup significant fees to offset the signing of Vlahovic, as well as saving money on wages. Aaron Ramsey’s wages will also be reduced as he completed a loan move with option-to-buy to join Rangers.
Finally, the shrewd signing of Denis Zakaria for just €7 million has made up for the midfield departures as the Swiss international arrived from Borussia Mönchengladbach. We reported just before the end of the window that a defensive midfielder was needed for Allegri and Zakaria seems to be an important addition to the center of the Juve midfield, as he joins Adrien Rabiot, Weston McKennie, Arthur and Manuel Locatelli in Turin.
Inter – 8/10
Current champions Inter needed very little to improve their squad, already taking a lead at the top in Serie A. Nonetheless, they still strengthened with the signings of Robin Gosens and Felipe Caicedo from Atalanta and Genoa respectively. The Nerazzurri have now secured an adequate back up to Edin Dzeko as Caicedo joined on loan to reunite with former boss Filippo Inzaghi. Gosens will also add extra quality at wing-back as he joins on an initial 18-month loan deal with an obligation-to-buy in 2023. Inter will be expected to continue to march on now and secure another title, if they can hold off a potential fightback from Juve.
Roma – 7/10
Jose Mourinho bolstered his side by adding Sergio Oliveira and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as the Giallorossi continue the hunt for a top four finish this season and compete with the other Italian giants. Roma completed a deal with Porto to sign Oliveira on a sixth-month loan with an option-to-buy and the Portuguese midfielder has made a fast start to his time in the capital. Maitland-Niles will also provide great depth for Mourinho as he can fill in at wing-back as well as in central midfield to help accommodate the 3-5-2 system currently in place.
Perhaps the only position Roma are now light in is going forward with a lack of attacking options. Tammy Abraham has made a fine start to life in Italy and has bagged ten league goals so far but creativity and danger from out wide is lacking. Eldor Shomurodov, Nicolo Zaniolo, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Stephan El Shaarawy are the other attacking options but they are seemingly lacking the quality needed to take the Giallorossi a step further.
Official and confirmed. AS Roma have registered Ainsley Maitland-Niles contract on Serie A system as new signing. Deal signed, straight loan move until June confirmed. ?? #ASRoma
No buy option included. Medical successfully completed, club statement soon. #AFC pic.twitter.com/WfcUEG8j5Q
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) January 7, 2022
Milan – 2/10
Milan only completed one signing this January as 18-year-old Marko Lazetic joined from Crvena Zvezda. Now is the time for the Rossoneri to push on and challenge archrivals Inter for the Scudetto but things look bleak for them, with their rivals strengthening and Milan seemingly standing still.
Simon Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori provided a rock solid defensive base at the start of the season which coincided with Milan’s strong start. The pair now find themselves injured with Kjaer out for the rest of the season due to an ACL injury. Stefano Pioli’s side were linked with Lille’s Sven Botman and young defender Malik Thiaw from Schalke but they could not manage to sign either player, leaving the defense stretched thin.
Franck Kessie is out of contract in the summer as he is refusing to sign a new deal so Milan were linked for a late move for Renato Sanches at Lille. The former Bayern man could have been in line for a big money move but talks broke down due to a reported disagreement in wage demands. Sanches could move in the summer but for now, Milan will have to do with what they’ve got.
Special Mention – Genoa
Genoa are struggling once more near the bottom of Serie A and currently sit 19th in the table. However, they have made a late attempt at saving themselves from relegation with a strategy unique to what Serie A has seen before. Andriy Shevchenko was fired after just nine games in charge and was replaced by German head coach Alexander Blessin.
Blessin has had previous experience as RB Leipzig coach at youth level and their January signings show an investment in youth, spending just under €20 million on nine players all the age of 25 or under. Their marquee signing of 21-year-old Kelvin Yeboah for €6.5 million from Austrian Bundesliga side Sturm Graz could prove to be significant in their battle for survival. The Ghanaian will look to continue in his impressive form in Austria, scoring 11 goals in just 18 league matches. One to keep an eye on.