Italian football, for most of the last decade, has had less hype than that for Premier League transfers, but it has still produced photo-finish title races.

Napoli, Inter and AC Milan have regularly made it to the front pages, with the side from Naples winning the Scudetto after 33 years in 2023 before repeating it last campaign. Meanwhile, the Old Lady of Turin — Juventus — has struggled to be where it once was, as an ever-dominant side in the country.

After the summer transfer window, Sportstar looks at the top five signings in this transfer window as Serie A sides promise another season of surprises and interesting storylines:

Luka Modric – Real Madrid → AC Milan

Luka Modric had been dubbed as one of the worst signings in La Liga when he joined Real Madrid from Tottenham Hotspur in 2012.

Over a decade later, he left the club this summer with 28 trophies, including six UEFA Champions League titles and a Ballon d’Or, making him one of the greatest players to have embraced the game.

Joining AC Milan on a free transfer, he replaced Manchester City-bound Tijjani Reijnders, as Massimilliano Allegri prepares his army to challenge for their first league title since 2022.

The team has an entirely new midfield set-up, with Adrien Rabiot, Ardon Jashari, Samuel Ricci and Modric, that can play both in a 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations, with Modric’s movement — both with and without the ball — in the opposition half being a critical asset to Milan’s gameplay.

Sam Beukema – Bologna → Napoli

Bologna created history in the 2023-24 season, securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 59 years. Sam Beukema was one of the key members of that squad, playing as a central defender under manager Thiago Motta.

But, like it always happens after historic runs from underdog sides, an exodus followed — Motta left for Juventus, Joshua Zirkzee for Manchester United, Riccardo Calafiori for Arsenal and Beukema too saw himself out this season, joining defending champion Napoli.

When Antonio Conte chalked up plans for Napoli’s title defence, it was natural that Beukema’s name popped up, and he moved to Naples on a five-year deal worth £26 million.
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Beukema made 80 appearances for Bologna over the last two seasons — he joined the Serie A side from AZ Alkmaar — and featured in all of its eight Champions League matches last season.

When Antonio Conte chalked up plans for Napoli’s title defence, it was natural that his name popped up, and he moved to Naples on a five-year deal worth £26 million.

Kevin de Bruyne – Manchester City → Napoli

An era ended in Manchester when midfield talisman Kevin de Bruyne decided to leave Man City on a free transfer, but unlike Andres Iniesta —who chose not to remain in Europe after leaving FC Barcelona — the Belgian chose to stay in European football, joining defending champion Napoli.

The 34-year-old scored 108 goals and set up 177 more during his time in Manchester and will look to provide a similar assistance in Italy, having already scored once in two appearances for Conte’s men.

De Bruyne has already scored once in two appearances for Napoli in the 2025-26 season.
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He will combine with three Manchester United outcasts, Scott McTominay (2024-25 Serie A Player of the Season), Rasmus Hojlund — on a season-long loan from United — and Romelu Lukaku this season.

Lois Openda – RB Leipzig → Juventus

Juventus has looked for a forward this summer, but after failing to land Randal Kolo Muani — who joined Tottenham on loan from Paris Saint-Germain — turned its focus to Sporting CP’s Conrad Harder and RB Leipzig’s Lois Openda.

Openda will compete for a spot in the starting 11 with Juve’s regular No. 9, Dusan Vlahovic, who has been rumoured with a move away from the club.
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Having moved from Ligue 1 side RC Lens in 2023, the Belgian has 41 goals and 18 assists in 93 appearances for Leipzig and moved to Italy on an initial loan with a condition to buy clause, taking his potential transfer fee to over £41 million.

Openda will compete for a spot in the starting 11 with Juve’s regular No. 9, Dusan Vlahovic, who has been rumoured with a move away from the club.

And the club signing wingers in Francisco Conceicao — permanent transfer —and Edon Zhegrova could see the team having a new front-three in the upcoming season.

Alvaro Morata – AC Milan → Como

Alvaro Morata, Spain’s fourth-highest goalscorer, decided to join his former teammate Cesc Fabregas at Como, with the latter now the manager of the team. Morata, who won eight trophies at Real Madrid before winning six more at Juventus, moved to Milan last year.

Morata’s experience of playing and performing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe will be the biggest bonus for Como.
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However, he fell out of favour at the club, joining Galatasaray in Turkey, as a replacement to injured Mauro Icardi. However, before the 2025-26 season, Como, a team promoted just last season and finished 10th in the standings.

Morata, typically a poacher in the box, might be 32 years old now, but his experience of playing and performing for some of the biggest clubs in Europe will be the biggest bonus for Como, which will look to continue its dream run in Italian football.

Published on Sep 02, 2025