Serie A: How Italy's Top Flight Will Recover If Stars Depart

With the drama and entertainment of another Serie A season concluded, a summer packed with transfer speculation awaits as the league's biggest stars are linked with moves elsewhere.

It is a similar pattern to last summer, which saw the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Thiago Silva and Ezequiel Lavezzi all leave for France while others ventured around Europe.

Almost a year on and little has changed in the sense that the Italian top tier's most prized assets are subject to speculation which suggests that they will depart after enjoying differing degrees of success.

However, while at first glance the list of names that may seek pastures new this summer seems a daunting one, it is important to remember that Serie A clubs are moving in a new direction.

The aforementioned Ibrahimovic was an integral part of a Milan side that depended on their talismanic Swedish international to guide them forward. Yet his departure allowed the likes of Stephan El Shaarawy to step out of his shadow and present the club with the opportunity to sign Mario Balotelli further down the line.

It is a blueprint that several other clubs may likely wish to adopt in the forthcoming months, as Europe's eyes descend on the peninsula to attempt to seduce its best players away.

At the top of most transfer shortlists this summer will be Fiorentina ace Stevan Jovetic and Napoli striker Edinson Cavani.

The latter has been linked with a switch to England these past few weeks, while Real Madrid remain an option as reported by ESPN. Yet while the player himself as consistently stated that his future remains in the hands of the club, were a bid of €63 million to be offered, thus triggering his release clause, it would be difficult for the Partenopei to ignore that kind of money.

Regardless of Rafa Benitez's arrival as Walter Mazzarri's replacement, Cavani has been prolific since his switch to Naples, and the club will be desperately hoping to keep hold of him.

However, considering the Milan example set out above, it is imperative that they have a plan ready were he to leave. Whether it is promoting from within through Lorenzo Insigne or acquiring elsewhere, the strength of Serie A clubs is their ability to identify and nurture replacements.

There is a possibility a similar situation may arise in Florence, as Fiorentina hope to persuade Jovetic to remain at the Franchi. 

According to U.K.-based newspaper The Express, Chelsea are ready to rival Arsenal for the Montenegrin's signature with club officials at Fiorentina suggesting he is in search of a new experience.

Having been given the responsibility of leading this Viola team, at first consideration Jovetic's loss would seem a bitter blow. However, considering the project being built under Vincenzo Montella, it is debatable as to how badly the club might suffer.

During the course of last season Adem Ljajic improved both on and off the pitch and has shown signs of being able to lead from the front. In addition, Giuseppe Rossi has returned from injury and will be desperate to return to the kind of form he demonstrated at Villarreal.

Add to that the speculation suggesting Fiorentina will target Burak Yilmaz and Joaquin this summer, as reported by football-italia.net, and it promises to be an exciting summer in Florence rather than the negative one most will portray, if Jovetic exits.

Claudio Marchisio has been linked with a move to Manchester United, according to football-italia.net, while Roma expect Daniele De Rossi to be subject to interest from England, too, reports football-italia.net.

Still, expect Serie A as a whole to recover from any such losses and continue to improve and produce new talents that will make next season just as dramatic and entertaining as the one previous.

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