Every January, football clubs all across Europe are given the chance to enhance their squads one last time before the final and decisive stretch of the campaign. The winter session is often described as a B-level market, where the clubs attempt to find emergency solutions, while leaving out the big shots for the summer. And yet, some Serie A clubs are proving quite the opposite, with Juventus pulling off the biggest coup of the whole market by finalizing the transfer of Dusan Vlahovic, while Inter countered by adding Robin Gosens to the fold.
Since the big Serie A boys have brought up their A-games, let’s take a look at the position that each one should address before the transfer market’s closure.
Inter: None
The reigning champions and league leaders entered the market with a squad that is head and shoulders above the rest of the field. And yet, Giuseppe Marotta and company did not rest on their laurels.
The Nerazzurri signed one of the best wingbacks in Italy in Robin Gosens and are now finalizing a deal for Felipe Caicedo who will act as a backup for Edin Dzeko. On another note, André Onana has been identified as the rightful heir for Samir Handanovic and will join the club in June.
Mission accomplished.
Milan: Center Back
At the start of the season, the defensive partnership of Simon Kjaer and Fikayo Tomori became the envy of the rest of the league. But the veteran Dane will miss the rest of the campaign with an ACL injury while the Englishman has also been out since the start of the year.
Therefore, the Rossoneri’s defense should be addressed before the end of the transfer session in order to preserve the club’s chances of remaining close to the top of the Serie A table.
20-year-old Malick Thiaw has been tipped to join from Schalke, but it remains to be seen if Milan can put this deal over the line, and whether the youngster will join the squad right away or remain in Germany until the end of the season.
Atalanta: Wingback
After selling Gosens to Inter, Atalanta are now pondering on whether to sign a replacement or stick to their current guns.
Last season, the German scored 10 goals in Serie A, and while the likes of Joakim Maehle and Davide Zappacosta have done their part, La Dea hasn’t been able to find someone who can replicate Gosens’ impact during his injury layoff.
Therefore, an addition to the wingback department wouldn’t be a terrible idea at all, but only if they can find someone who can prove to be an enhancement over the current crop.
Juventus: Defensive Midfielder
While the Bianconeri are celebrating the arrival of one of the best young strikers in the world and the top current leader in the Serie A scoring charts, the midfield knot could persist for another transfer session.
Juventus currently lack a defensive midfielder who can offer Manuel Locatelli the freedom to burst forward.
Denis Zakaria could be the ideal man for the job, but a free transfer in June remains a more likely scenario.
Napoli: Left-Back
For one reason or another, the southerners have been ignoring the left-back issue for several years now. Perhaps Mario Rui deserves more credit that what he gets, but Faouzi Ghoulam needs to embark on a new adventure in order to reignite his career elsewhere.
The Partenopei will probably decide to postpone this issue for another time, but it does feel as if they’re shooting themselves in the foot.
Roma: Left Winger
The capital side has been active since the start of the January transfer session, presenting José Mourinho with two gifts: Sergio Oliveira (midfielder) and Ainsley Maitland-Niles (wingback).
It is said that the Giallorossi have renewed their interest in Granit Xhaka, but perhaps they should also consider adding a left winger. Teenage sensation Felix Afena-Gyan is currently serving on the wing, but he’s arguably more at ease in a central role.
While the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Eldor Shomurodov can play on the left wing if needed, the only natural player for the role is Stephan El-Shaarawy, and he’s yet to fully convince the Special One.
Lazio: Deep-lying Playmaker
Maurizio Sarri has two formidable midfielders in Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Luis Alberto (even if the latter isn’t always appreciated by the Tuscan manager). But the problem resides with the third wheel.
With age finally catching up with Lucas Leiva, Danilo Cataldi has been playing in front of the defense. However, the former Napoli tactician has always preferred to have a true deep-lying playmaker in this position (a natural Regista like Jorginho).
Can Lazio find their man in January? It’s a bit doubtful, but there’s no harm in trying.