The start of the 2023/24 Serie A campaign is just over one-week away folks; and fans the length and breadth of Italy can’t wait for the next Scudetto battle to begin.
This has been a summer transfer window like no other with the Saudi Pro League making a splash in the market. Up to now the players heading to Saudi have predominantly been in the latter stages of their careers but there are some notable exceptions, including ex Lazio player Sergej Milinkovic-Savic who hot-footed it off to Al Hilal when the call came. At 28 years of age, the Sergeant is in the prime of his career and this was a marquee signing for the emerging league; he was a dominant figure at the heart of Lazio’s midfield and will continue to be so with Serbia.
And now it seems that another top Serie A star could be on his way to the Middle East; Napoli’s 29 year old midfielder Piotr Zielinski is reported to be weighing up a move to Al-Ahli. The Pole was an integral part of Napoli’s 2023 Scudetto winning team but the Saudi club is pushing hard and ready to offer more for their target, having tabled a bid over the weekend. Premier League stars Riyad Mahrez and Roberto Firmino are already registered by Al Ahli, having been lured from Manchester City and Liverpool.
I Partenopei would like to keep their star, who has entered the final year of his contract, but talks have not, as yet, been successful as the Napoli negotiators are apparently trying to reduce the player’s wages. So that may push the player away and Napoli are reported to be willing to sell, if an offer of around 20m Euros comes in. That would be peanuts for Al-Ahli, one of four clubs owned by the Saudi PIF Fund. Reports suggest that Zielinski has been offered in excess of 14m Euros per season and, if he does not feel valued by the Serie A Champions then he might just jump.
In terms of incomings Napoli have signed Giacomo Raspadori and Giovanni Simeone to strengthen up front while they still hope Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen will still be their player when they visit Frosinone at the start of the campaign on 19th August. The latest Serie A 2023 betting odds place Napoli in second place at SBOTOP odds of 3.50, with only Inter Milan ahead at 2.90 and the destination of Osimhen will have a big impact on those odds, either way.
Chiesa’s future still uncertain
In other Serie A 2023 news, Juventus striker Federico Chiesa is not certain to stay in Turin after a career with I Bianconeri dogged by injury. He spent ten months out of action a couple of years ago and his form has been patchy since and, with his current contract set to expire in 2025, the Old Lady is in a delicate position. Chiesa is undoubtedly a quality player, starring with the Azzurri and Juventus, and boss Max Allegri will have to weigh up whether the player can fit into his system of whether he should move him on. If the club wants Chiesa to stay, then they would be well advised to tie him down to a new deal but the financial situation at Juventus is precarious to say the least, and they would find it hard to turn down a big offer for the forward, who can play as a winger or through the middle.
Allegri is hedging his bets and reports in Turin suggest he has identified a replacement should Chiesa move on. Eintracht Frankfurt striker Jasper Lindstrom is on the wish list of a number of top European clubs and I Bianconeri are pushing their way to the front of the queue, to be ready should Chiesa leave. This is a difficult summer for Allegri but I Bianconeri are third favourites to win the title at odds of 3.97 and the boss will want this situation resolved quickly.
Over in the Capital City, Roma manager Jose Mourinho wants another striker to add to his forward line of Tammy Abraham, Paulo Dybala and Andrea Belotti. There is no suggestion that any of those three are likely to leave Rome, but any team which wants to challenge for a top four place, which Roma certainly does, needs top class cover in every position and that means at least four strikers.
Mourinho says he would have been unhappy to be in this position 20 years ago, but the transfer market is so much more difficult now, with player power and new entrants to the market changing the landscape dramatically. Dybala is a key player for I Giallorossi and his release clause expired on 1st August, so that should put a smile on Jose’s face.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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