With the January transfer window well under way, there have been a number of massive transfers in the Serie A. From talismans leaving to players looking for redemption and a fresh start in Italy. This article will highlight recent transfers, both confirmed and rumours in the Serie A.

Dele: A fresh start at Como 1907

No matter who you support, every football fan can agree they wish Dele Alli the very best as he embarks on a new chapter in his career. From being a wonderkid to becoming a player fans wondered what went wrong with, Dele Alli now joins Como 1907 and Cesc Fàbregas on the picturesque shores of Lake Como.

Dele, who was once on track to become one of the finest English talents in recent years, rose through the ranks at MK Dons before joining Tottenham Hotspur in 2015. His first full season at Spurs saw him make 50 appearances, scoring 22 goals and providing 12 assists. The following campaign (2017/18) saw him deliver 15 goals and 12 assists. This remarkable output for such a young player earned him a place in England’s World Cup squad during their semi-final run. However, after that campaign—and the heartbreak of losing the Champions League final the following season—Dele’s form began to decline. He eventually moved to Everton, followed by a transfer to Beşiktaş, but both stints proved disastrous for both the clubs and his potential.

This summer, Dele found himself without a club. Six months earlier, he had given a heartfelt and revealing interview with Gary Neville, in which he spoke about his struggles with mental health and the abuse he suffered as a child. These challenges have clearly had a profound impact on a player who once seemed destined for greatness.

Dele has now signed with Como until June 2026. Fans of Como, as well as football fans across England, will be hoping the 28-year-old can get his career back on track. The attacking midfielder is likely to slot in as a number 10 for Como, and he will have the opportunity to learn from a legend of the game in manager Cesc Fàbregas.

Kvaratskhelia joins PSG

Napoli under Conte look revitalised. They are currently top of the table with a three-point lead over second-placed Inter Milan. However, this success has not been enough for star winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, who, midway through a famous title race, has left Naples and Italy to join French giants PSG. This move follows Kvaratskhelia submitting a transfer request to Conte, with reported disputes over wages and his treatment by the club cited as leading reasons for his departure. The deal was finalised at the end of last week for a reported €75 million. Napoli, known for its passionate fanbase, have now lost one of the best players in the league. Undoubtedly, had he stayed, Kvaratskhelia would have had the opportunity to cement himself as an icon among the fans. Instead, the Georgian winger has faced their wrath, with supporters discarding his merchandise and memorabilia in protest.

This will undoubtedly be a blow for Napoli. Kvaratskhelia was regarded as the star of their attack, especially following the loan departure of Victor Osimhen. Conte must now rely on other players, such as Romelu Lukaku, to shoulder the burden of losing such an influential figure. That said, reinforcements have been made in midfield during the January window, including the addition of Philip Billing. Conte’s tactical utilisation of two free-roaming advanced midfielders, Scott McTominay and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa—who operate both vertically and laterally, as highlighted by Michael Cox—suggests that Napoli can distribute the creative and goalscoring responsibilities across multiple positions.

Statistically, McTominay and Zambo Anguissa have matched Kvaratskhelia’s output, with all three contributing eight goal involvements this season. Time will tell whether Kvaratskhelia’s departure will prove costly for Napoli’s title ambitions, but Conte’s system offers hope that the team can find solutions from across the pitch.

Emerson Royal out and 6x Premier League winner in?

Kyle Walker looks set for fresh pastures, having put in poor performance after poor performance for Man City, and multiple off field controversies in his personal life. The City captain is leaving the Etihad on a slightly sour note. But as a City fan myself I will always remember Walker’s tenure in sky blue in a positive way. An immense defender who during his time at city locked up the best wingers in the world. Vinicius Jr., Mbappe, Neymar. Every single one couldn’t get past Walker. His recovery pace and defensive ability led to players such as Cancelo and Stones excelling in more advanced roles out of defence. When the 34 year old retires he will go down as one of the best, if not the best Premier League right back ever.

While many thought that Walker was set on a Saudi move, he has been strongly linked with AC Milan. With the Emerson Royal experiment being proved as a near disaster (shock), manager Sérgio Conceição will be looking to reinforce a clear problem position. A move to a slower paced league will help Walker see out his extraordinary career. He would fit perfectly in this AC Milan side, allowing his counterpart Theo Hernandez to operate freely from the left back position. This transfer for both is a no brainer. The only problem? His wages, if the parties can agree on wages then we could be seeing Walker in the Rossoneri colours very soon.

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Quote of the week

In football, the only thing that matters is who wins: winners are the ones who remain in history. You don’t remember the beaten finalists, you remember the ones who lifted the trophy.

~Antonio Conte

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