Serie A: Transfer market movers worth watching as season opens in Italy
ROMELU LUKAKU Inter Milan
The Belgium forward will add some much-needed firepower to an Inter Milan team that managed only 57 league goals last season — well below the three teams that finished above them in Serie A. Inter's chief goal scorer, Mauro Icardi, was stripped of the captaincy and dropped from the squad midway through the season. He was expected to leave in the off-season but has yet to be sold. Lukaku, who was signed from Manchester United for around $73 million U.S. plus $15 million in bonuses, has been given Icardi's No. 9 jersey.
MARIO BALOTELLI Brescia
The newly promoted side pulled off perhaps one of the biggest coups of the season, bringing Balotelli back home. He joined his hometown club on a free transfer after his contract with Marseille expired, returning to Serie A after an absence of three years. The Italy forward’s last spell in Italy in 2015-16 was a miserable one as he struggled with injury and scored only once in a season-long loan at AC Milan. He returned to Liverpool in 2016 and then moved to France, resurrecting his career at Nice and Marseille.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT Juventus
If you can't beat them, buy them. That appears to be Juventus' philosophy as it continues its quest for the Champions League title. De Ligt scored the goal that eliminated Juventus from the Champions League in April as he captained Ajax to the semifinals. A few months later, Juventus signed the Netherlands defender. De Ligt, who turned 20 this month, became the most expensive defender in Serie A history with an $85million transfer from Ajax. He’s strong on the ground and in the air.
ISMAEL BENNACER AC Milan
The midfielder's profile rose sharply after he was named player of the tournament at the recent Africa Cup of Nations, where he helped Algeria win the title for the first time in 29 years. However, the 21-yearold Bennacer had already committed himself to joining AC Milan from Empoli for a fee of around $18 million. Bennacer joined Empoli in 2017 from Arsenal following a loan spell at Ligue 2 side Tours, and impressed with his performance in Serie A last season despite his club suffering relegation.
FRANCK RIBERY Fiorentina
The veteran Frenchman could be a key piece to the club's aims for a renaissance under new American ownership. Ribery was a free agent after 12 seasons with Bayern Munich, which included a Champions League title in 2013. The 36-year-old winger will link with midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng, who also joined Fiorentina in the offseason. Fiorentina was bought by cable TV businessman Rocco Commisso in June after finishing 16th in Serie A last season, narrowly avoiding relegation.