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BEST SERIE A SIGNINGS 2019/20

BEST SERIE A SIGNINGS 2019/20

BEST SERIE A SIGNINGS 2019/20

The 2019/20 Serie A season starts on Saturday with Juventus kicking off their bid for a ninth successive league crown. The Bianconeri have once again done some smart business in the transfer window, but they are far from the only ones.

We run through 11 Serie A signings which have turned our heads and are worth following closely in the new campaign.

One of the brightest young talents in world football, de Ligt captained Ajax to the 2018/19 Eredivisie title and UEFA Champions League semi-finals. He then played for the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League final before turning 20 in August. Little wonder, then, that his transfer reportedly cost Juve €75m, making de Ligt the world’s most expensive defender.

  

After qualifying for the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League, Atalanta snapped up the former Liverpool defender on a free transfer from Fenerbahçe. Skrtel made 27 Süper Lig appearances last season and seven in the Europa League, so he still has what it takes to play on the big stage.

At a reported fee of €80m, former Manchester United striker Lukaku was not exactly a bargain buy for the Nerazzurri. However, his talent is absolutely worth the investment. At 26 years old, Lukaku has 113 Premier League goals and 35 assists to his name in 252 appearances.

 

A remarkable signing on a free transfer, warrior Godín was the unsung hero in a remarkable era for Atlético Madrid. Antonio Conte’s teams are generally tough to break down and he has one of the world’s most accomplished defenders at his disposal in the Uruguayan.

A supremely talented midfielder, Nainggolan has been held back by injury and alleged disciplinary issues. The Belgian was deemed surplus to requirements under new boss Antonio Conte. He has pledged to “prove that they were wrong” and he unquestionably has the ability to do so. It is merely a question of whether or not he reaches his full potential.

After proving his doubters wrong at Arsenal, the Welshman has taken on a new challenge by signing for the Bianconeri. At 28 years of age, he likely still has plenty of his best years ahead of him. An accomplished passer of the ball, Ramsey will likely slot seamlessly into Maurizio Sarri’s system.

The Africa Cup of Nations Player of the Tournament earned his big move to AC Milan from Empoli aged 21. Formerly on the books of Arsenal, the Algerian has proven he has what it takes to shine in Serie A having made 37 appearances in his first season in Italy’s top flight.

At the age of 21, Theo has picked up 69 La Liga appearances across stints at Alavés, Real Madrid and Real Sociedad. The left-back has the potential to become a world-beater over the course of his five-year contract after joining the Rossoneri from Los Blancos.

The Partenopei snapped up Manolas from rivals Roma after he made 156 Serie A appearances for I Giallorossi. The Greece international now has the chance to form a fearsome partnership with Kalidou Koulibaly after joining for a reported €36m.

After an unsuccessful loan stint at Barcelona, Kevin-Prince Boateng signed for Fiorentina (La Viola also signed Franck Ribery after the time of writing) from Sassuolo for a reported €1m. This is a bargain price for a player who shone at AC Milan and proved in the early stages of last season that he can still make an impact in Italy’s top flight.

The versatile Nigerian full-back shone at Afcon 2019 and has his best years ahead of him aged just 22. He spent last season on loan at Torino and has now signed for a reported fee of  €10m from Chelsea. An attack-minded player who offers creativity going forward, he might well make the Blues regret letting him go.

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Leonard Solms is a sports journalist who features regularly on various local and international platforms including ESPN, New Frame, FARPost, Tagged Online and Careers Magazine, as well as this one. He enjoys the occasional bet and the most important tip he can give you is to bet within your means.

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