10 best transfers of the Serie A season
Juventus outspent their rivals last summer, bringing in Gonzalo Higuain, Miralem Pjanic, and others, but some of the best work on the transfer market was done at little or no cost.
Considering both loans and permanent signings, here are the top 10 Serie A players who ensured their clubs got the best possible deal:
10. Piotr Zielinski (Napoli)
Reported €14-million transfer from Empoli
Although he was as much a starter as a substitute, Piotr Zielinski was an important signing. He gave Napoli some needed depth in midfield - a problem in previous seasons - and managed to provide five goals and seven assists despite making just 18 starts.
9. Marco Borriello (Cagliari)
Free transfer from Carpi
Marco Borriello has replaced Luca Toni as Serie A's elder statesman. The 35-year-old, whose career seemed headed for a quiet end, enjoyed one of his finest seasons leading Cagliari's attack, scoring 20 goals in all competitions.
8. Giovanni Simeone (Genoa)
Reported €3-million transfer from River Plate
A brace against Juventus is enough to put anyone on the map, and that's exactly how Giovanni Simeone, son of Atletico's Diego Simeone, made a name for himself. He went on to score 12 goals in the Serie A campaign, helping keep Genoa in the top flight.
7. Diego Falcinelli (FC Crotone)
On loan from Sassuolo
Central to FC Crotone's great escape from the clutches of the relegation zone was Diego Falcinelli, who scored five goals in his side's final eight matches to ensure safety. Crotone may not have the financial power to keep Falcinelli, but he will forever be a part of the club's history.
6. Gerard Deulofeu (AC Milan)
On loan from Everton
No one knew exactly why Gerard Deulofeu's career had stalled at Everton - his temperament was a common guess - but AC Milan didn't seem to care. The Spaniard rediscovered himself in the fashion capital, amassing four goals and three assists to help the Rossoneri qualify for the Europa League.
5. Miralem Pjanic (Juventus)
€32-million transfer from Roma
The best thing about the signing of Miralem Pjanic was not the relatively inexpensive fee, but the fact Juventus could weaken a direct rival with addition by subtraction. Reinvented as a deep-lying player, Pjanic has the tools to become the best midfielder in world football.
4. Patrik Schick (Sampdoria)
Reported €4-million transfer from Sparta Prague
Patrik Schick arrived in Italy as an unknown quantity from Prague, but thanks to a strong finish to the season, no one can forget his name. With the likes of Juventus and Inter linked to the player, Schick should net Sampdoria a big profit. His ruthlessness in front of goal and fancy footwork have drawn comparisons to Dennis Bergkamp.
3. Ciro Immobile (Lazio)
Reported €8.5-million transfer from Borussia Dortmund
Ill-fated moves to Borussia Dortmund and Sevilla put Ciro Immobile's once-promising career on hold. Only this past season, after a permanent transfer to Lazio, did he live up to the expectations he set for himself in 2013-14 to become Serie A's top scorer. With 23 goals in 36 appearances, Immobile even managed to set a personal record.
2. Federico Fazio (Roma)
On loan from Tottenham
Federico Fazio enjoyed a renaissance in the Italian capital, securing a starting role in Luciano Spalletti's side while thriving in a three-man defence. His assured and measured performances for Roma made a mockery of his €3.2-million buyout clause. A slower defender with good dribbling ability, Fazio has had a much better time in Serie A than he did in the Premier League with Tottenham.
1. Dani Alves (Juventus)
Free transfer from Barcelona
Dani Alves' bitter divorce from Barcelona was Juventus' gain. Arriving in Italy on a free transfer, the Brazilian overcome a broken leg early in the 2016-17 campaign to star for the Bianconeri in the Champions League. The 34-year-old showed his versatility and match-winning ability as he assumed duties on the right wing.
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)