The January transfer window has slammed shut after the conclusion of deadline day on 31/01/22 and a number of big names moved in Serie A, including Dusan Vlahovic and Robin Gosens. Here’s our list of the top five Serie A transfers.
1. Dusan Vlahovic
We all knew who number one on this list would be and that’s new Juventus star Dusan Vlahovic who made a €75 million move from Fiorentina. Juve have been missing goals this season and the Serbian looks set to be the man to add some quality up top for the Old Lady. Vlahovic is the joint-top league goalscorer this season, alongside Ciro Immobile, and has scored 17 goals in just 21 Serie A appearances. At just 22-years-old, the future is bright for Vlahovic as he looks to take over from Cristiano Ronaldo at Turin and lead Juventus back to the top of Italian football.
Vlahovic was well sought-after throughout the window and the saga seemed never-ending, with Arsenal and Manchester City both linked to the forward. Nonetheless, his preferred move was to stay in Serie A as he continues his fine goalscoring record. Pressure is on now for Vlahovic to live up to the hype and his transfer fee.
2. Robin Gosens
Inter completed some excellent business in the winter market as they strengthened in two positions to stake a stronger claim at winning back-to-back titles. Despite being injured, Gosens completed a loan move to Inter with an obligation-to-buy coming into place by January 2023. Inter have been searching for a left-sided player for a long-term replacement for Ivan Perisic. The German international has been fully established at Atalanta, proving himself to be one of the top wing-backs in Serie A, contributing excellently in both defensive and offensive movements of play.
Interestingly, Gosens has a unique ability to find the back of the net and managed to score nine and 11 goals in each of the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons respectively. The 27-year-old’s form has not gone unnoticed by his national side either and he has been a regular for Germany since he made his debut in 2020, also being selected at Euro 2020 that took place last summer.
3. Arthur Cabral
Fiorentina have had a very busy window as they saw star striker Dusan Vlahovic depart, whilst a number of names came in an attempt to replace the Serbian. The large fee received from Juventus for Vlahovic allowed Fiorentina to strengthen and they acquired three attacking players in the form of Arthur Cabral, Krzysztof Piatek and Jonathan Ikone. All three names have picked up some attention due to their form and potential shown at their previous clubs. However, it is Arthur Cabral who takes our attention.
The Brazilian forward completed a €15 million move to the Viola from FC Basel and shows a lot of potential, still only at the age of 23-years-old. Cabral had a fantastic goalscoring record in Switzerland, finding the back of the net a total of 46 times in the Swiss Super League in just 77 appearances over the course of three seasons. Cabral has similar qualities to that of Vlahovic and could be the man to fill in the big shoes left.
4. Sergio Oliveira
Roma acquired Portuguese international Sergio Oliveira on loan from Porto, with an option-to-buy for €13 million, as Jose Mourinho looks to bolster his squad and compete with the other Italian giants in and around the top six. Oliveira has made a flying start to life in Rome, scoring two goals and grabbing an assist in his first two Serie A games. The 29-year-old has picked up some vital Champions League experience with Porto and he will now look to make his mark in Italy and continue to compete against the world’s best, as he fights for a spot back in the Portuguese national team.
5. Samuele Ricci
Another young and upcoming star in Serie A is Samuele Ricci who made a loan switch to Torino from Empoli. The 20-year-old has featured for Italy at under-21 level and could be edging closer to making an appearance in the first team squad under Roberto Mancini. Ricci will complete a permanent transfer as the deal involves an obligation-to-buy. Torino head coach Ivan Juric reportedly requested Ricci to join his side and the shrewd business could turn out to be a master stroke as Torino pick up one of Italy’s newest emerging talents.
Ricci came through the youth ranks at Empoli and before getting promoted to Serie A in 2021, they were in Serie B which has produced a number of fine talents over the years such as Marco Verratti from Pescara and Sandro Tonali from Brescia. He and Torino will be hoping he can follow in similar footsteps.