With the season coming to a close shortly, many players’ current contracts are expiring giving them the option to choose their next destination.
Originally found at Serie A Scouted.
Over the past few years, bosman transfers have helped a number of Serie A clubs *cough Juventus *cough build competitive sides with minimal resources. Given the success with this method, expect countless Serie A teams to dip into the free agent market this summer in hopes of finding the bargain of the year. This season’s signing of the year has arguably been Sami Khedira, a player Juventus snapped up on a free transfer. While most clubs will venture outside of Italy for their free agents (aka Feghouli, Ibrahimovic, Ben Arfa, Banega etc) there are quite a bit of bargains available within the peninsula. That said, only a few of the players in the following eleven are top five quality in Italy.
GOALKEEPER –
Vid Belec (Carpi) – The goalkeeping talent in Serie A’s free agency market is relatively thin this summer but Carpi’s Belec is worth considering. Since assuming the role as Carpi’s #1, Belec has impressed and has strung together a number of consistent performances. Should Carpi manage to stay up this season, they should consider renewing the 25-year-old’s deal or will risk losing a solid shot-stopper.
DEFENDERS –
Facundo Roncaglia (Fiorentina) – The Fiorentina man is among the hottest commodities in defence this summer but his recklessness has put off various clubs across the league. On his day, Roncaglia is a decent defender to have in your side as his versatility gives the manager a plethora of options. Recently, however, the Argentine has been playing at right back and claimed that he enjoys playing like Dani Alves. Yeah, right. With an expiring deal, expect a few of Serie A’s mid-table clubs to inquire about him.
*Note* – Maicon could have also been included in his place but the Brazilian has his heart reportedly set on a move away.
Andrea Barzagli (Juventus) – The veteran defender is easily the best player with an expiring deal in Italy and has established himself as arguably Italy’s best defender. That said, Barzagli is set to sign a contract renewal shortly, taking him off the market definitively. As a result, we will shift our attention to Milan’s Cristian Zapata. The Colombian international blows hot and cold at times but has looked good in his recent outings, most notably in Milan’s draw against Napoli. Could that be enough to keep him in Italy?
Martin Caceres (Juventus) – The Uruguayan is another Juventus defender whose contract is expiring. However, it appears that the Juventus board have no intentions of offering him a renewal. Right now, Napoli are the favourites to land Caceres while his agent has also met with Milan and Roma. At Juventus, Caceres has had recurring injury problems but has looked good when coming in for one of Bonucci, Barzagli or Chiellini. Should he sign for Napoli like it is being widely reported, the partenopei will have made a shrewd signing as he’s capable of playing anywhere in defence and has as much fight as anyone in the league.
Yuto Nagatomo (Inter) – Going into the summer, there are a few left backs that will be without a contract. That said, Patrice Evra, like Barzagli, will sign a renewal in the coming weeks and Manuel Pasqual is, well, Manuel Pasqual. That would then leave Nagatomo as Serie A’s top free agent left back. Yikes. But it’s not all bad. Despite not being good enough for one of the league’s top clubs, Nagatomo is still capable of doing a job for a mid-table side where he has previously thrived. As a result, there should be some interest in the Japanese international.
MIDFIELDERS –
Simone Pepe (Chievo) – The 32-year-old has gotten his career back on track since joining Chievo but is once again out of contract at the end of the season. Like most players in this list, Pepe will entice interest from the league’s mid-table clubs. This season, the former Juventus man has three goals and an assist in four starts. If Chievo decide not to renew his deal, Pepe will likely remain in Italy as he’s still a decent depth player to have.
Riccardo Montolivo (Milan) – Opinion among Milan fans seems to be divided when it comes to Montolivo. The reality is, however, that the former Fiorentina man doesn’t cut it at the top level. More importantly, his departure would free three and a half million euros (!!!) off their wage bill. With Milan likely to miss out on European football, they simply can’t afford to pay a player like Montolivo this much money. However, if he renews at a fraction of his current salary, it may be worth considering from the rossoneri’s perspective.
Ricardo Alvarez (Sampdoria) – It’s time to face the reality that Alvarez just isn’t that good and will never live up to his pre-Inter hype. While that is the case, he has looked decent since returning to Italy after his failed English adventure. But has his form warranted a renewal? Let’s face it – Sampdoria could do far worse than Alvarez and giving him another year at the club isn’t the worst idea. He doesn’t command a crazy wage and has shown that he can function in Montella’s system.
Danilo Soddimo (Frosinone) – Now this, this is a player that I like. The 28-year-old has featured consistently in Frosinone’s lineup this season and has impressed on the left wing. Throughout this season, Soddimo has demonstrated that he is Serie A worthy and should remain in the league even if his side is relegated. Given his modest salary, the opportunity for a summer bargain is there.
FORWARDS –
Francesco Totti (Roma) – Totti is undoubtedly the biggest name in the eleven despite being 39 years old. In recent times, Roma’s management have started talking to the legendary forward about a renewal but Totti has made it clear that he won’t accept a limited role at the club. This leads one to wonder if this is the last season Roma’s iconic #10 will grace our pitches. Or, maybe, just maybe, a swoop from another team is on the cards. But that would be plain wrong, wouldn’t it?
Mauricio Pinilla (Atalanta) – Pinilla doesn’t have as much star power as his strike partner but is arguably a more effective player right now. The Chilean international is one of those strikers with a natural goalscoring instinct and typically finds the back of the net in spectacular fashion. With German Denis’ departure, it’s quite baffling that Pinilla is still without a contract at the club.
4-4-2: Belec; Roncaglia, Barzagli, Caceres, Nagatomo; Pepe, Montolivo, Alvarez, Soddimo; Totti, Pinilla.
Honourable mentions – Zapata, Maicon, Klose, Emanuelson, Pasqual, Alex, Kevin-Prince Boateng.
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