The five best Serie A transfers of the season so far

Carlo Garganese

• Updated: 22 Dec 2024 08:13 CST
• 4 min read

The 2024-25 Serie A season has been a thrilling one so far, with three teams in Atalanta, Inter Milan and Napoli fiercely fighting it out at the top of the table.

One of the highlights so far has been the number of summer signings who have shone in their first season at their new clubs.

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Many of these don’t even make our list, including the likes of Nico Paz, Pierre Kalulu, Francisco Conceicao and Manu Kone.

Here are our five best Serie A transfers of the season so far.

Mateo Retegui (Genoa to Atalanta - €28m)

Mateo Retegui was signed by Atalanta this summer as something of an enforced move after star striker Gianluca Scamacca tore his ACL in pre-season.

Scamacca’s injury has proven to be a bit of a blessing as Retegui has taken Serie A by storm.

He has already scored 12 times in the league, which makes him the top scorer in Serie A. His goals have played a key role in taking Atalanta to the top of the table on the back of a club record winning run.

Retegui has also impressed with his all-round game, holding up the ball and linking with teammates in a way that many doubted he was capable of. He has also formed a brilliant partnership with Ademola Lookman.

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Moise Kean (Juventus to Fiorentina - €18m)

Long tipped for big things, Moise Kean’s career has finally taken off after joining Fiorentina for €13m plus €5m in add-ons from Juventus.

He has scored nine Serie A goals, which is already the best total of his career for a season - and we are still in December.

He has 13 goals in all competitions, inspiring Fiorentina to a fantastic first half of the season which sees them inside the top four.

Juventus are regretting their decision to sell Kean as the Bianconeri have struggled badly to score goals this season.

Nuno Tavares (Arsenal to Lazio - LOAN with option to buy)

Nuno Tavares joined Lazio from Arsenal on loan with an obligation to buy for just €6m if certain conditions are met.

The 24-year-old has been a revelation and undoubtedly the best left back in the league in the first half of the season.

He has the most assists in Serie A this term with eight - and for a while was even the best creator in all of Europe.

He has been a constant force of nature down the left flank, bombarding at speed past the full-back and whipping in dangerous crosses. His performances have helped a Lazio side who endured something of a revolution this summer to not only challenge for a Champions League place but even push the leaders hard.

David de Gea (Free Agent to Fiorentina)

In arguably the comeback story of the year, discarded former Man Utd star David de Gea has shown that he is far from finished.

Despite spending a year without a club, De Gea has been a colossus since joining Fiorentina as a free agent in August.

He has statistically been the best goalkeeper in Serie A, boasting the league’s highest save percentage and an impressive six clean sheets from his 12 games.

Fiorentina have conceded the fewest goals in Serie A, a key reason for them challenging near the top.

Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino to Napoli - €35m)

Antonio Conte specifically requested the signing of Alessandro Buongiorno when being appointed as the manager of Napoli this summer.

And the former Torino centre back has proven to be an inspired signing as he has been a colossus at the back for Napoli.

Napoli have had seven shutouts with Buongiorno in the team, with the Italian forming a fantastic partnership with Amir Rrahmani.

Conte’s men seem certain to fight for the Scudetto this season, and their mean defence led by Buongiorno will be a key reason why.