Serie a Transfer Rumours: Top 12 Big-Time Players Who Could Be Leaving Italy

The Serie A is one of the strongest leagues in the world with many quality teams capable of winning the league title. There are a number of clubs which have the financial capability and the history to attract big players to join the league like AC Milan and Juventus. Milan are the current Serie A title holders and are once again one of the main title challengers this year though they do face severe competition from Juventus in particular.

The January transfer window is a very important period in the season when teams look to strengthen their squad in order to help them achieve their ambitions. It is also a time where there are many players who could look to leave their respective clubs due to various reasons such as lack of playing time at the club.  A number of deals are completed in the last two days of the transfer window, which is why there could still be plenty of transfer activity before the close of the transfer window.

Here is a list of some big name players who could be leaving their clubs in this January window to move to a different league.

Riccardo Montolivo (Fiorentina)

Riccardo Montolivo is one of the best midfielders in the Serie A and could be on the move in this January transfer window considering that he is yet to sign a new contract. The Italian international has been excellent for Fiorentina over the years, but with the club not competing for finishing in the Champions League places he could look to move to a bigger club in the future.

He has been linked with moves to big Premiership clubs like Arsenal and Manchester United in the past and it is possible that he could leave the Serie A itself. He is quite versatile and can provide quality depth to the team. However, with the Euro 2012 in the summer, he will look to play regularly and might also consider moving only in the summer.

Alexandre Pato (AC Milan)

Alexandre Pato is one of the most talented strikers in the world but he has been inconsistent for AC Milan in the last couple of seasons. He does have the ability to score brilliant goals like he showed against FC Barcelona, but he has also failed to perform consistently for his side. There are some top quality forwards at Milan like Robinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pato has been benched for some games in favour of other strikers.

However, if AC Milan are able to conclude a deal for Manchester City’s Carlos Tevez, then it could result in Pato receiving even lesser playing time which is why he could consider leaving AC Milan. He has been linked with Paris St. Germain in the past but there could be other clubs who could be interested as well if he is open to a switch.

Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan)

Wesley Sneijder is one of the best midfielders in the world and was one of the most important players for Inter Milan during the 2009-10 season when they won the treble under Jose Mourinho. However, injuries and bad form has meant that Sneijder has not hit peak form and Inter Milan struggled badly since the departure of Mourinho as well. However, the Dutchman still remains a quality player who can make a difference to any team in the world.

Though Inter Milan have made a superb comeback under Claudio Ranieri, Sneijder could yet leave the club in order to move to another big club. This is because Inter Milan could finish outside Champions League places and also, with Ricardo Alvarez shining for Inter Milan and Ranieri’s preference to utilize two strikers, Sneijder could be benched for some games. Also, with the Dutchman being 28 years of age, any move in the next year could be his last big move where he can earn big wages as well.

David Pizarro (AS Roma)

David Pizarro is another current Serie A player who could make the switch to a different league before the end of the transfer window. The 32 year-old Chile midfielder has shown in the past that he is a quality player but has struggled with injuries in the recent past. Roma have signed some new young players under Luis Enrique who has had a rather inconsistent start as the manager of Roma. Pizarro has not been a regular under him and could be on the way out of Roma.

According to this report, Manchester City and Zenit St. Petersburg are interested in signing the midfielder. City manager Mancini as well as Zenit’s Luciano Spalletti have both worked with him in the past and do have a decent chance of signing the experienced midfielder before the end of the window.

Mauro Zarate (Lazio)

Lazio striker Mauro Zarate is another player who could be on his way out of Italy if Lazio do receive an offer that meets their valuation of the striker. Zarate is quite talented but has been inconsistent and was loaned out to Inter Milan at the start of the season. However, with Inter Milan not looking like that they have made a decision to make it a permanent move, Lazio could opt to sell the striker to some other club as well. With Miroslav Klose performing very well for Lazio, it would make sense to sell Zarate.

Tottenham are one of the clubs who have been linked with a move for the striker. The Spurs have had a good campaign so far and could look to further strengthen their side in the summer. The North London club already have some good strikers like Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor who is on loan from Manchester City, but Zarate could provide another quality option upfront for the team.

Thiago Motta (Inter Milan)

Thiago Motta has been a very consistent midfielder for Inter Milan and did play an important role for Inter under Jose Mourinho when they won the treble though he was sent off against FC Barcelona in the semi-final. The former Barcelona midfielder has not been a regular in the Inter Milan side under Claudio Ranieri and could be on the move in this January transfer window. French giants Paris St. Germain has been strongly linked with a move for the Italy international but it depends on whether Ranieri and Inter do want to sell him in January.

Though Motta is not a regular starter, he provides good depth to the side and is very committed on the pitch. He is a very useful squad player and with Inter Milan looking to seal a Champions League place and even make a late surge to win the Serie A title. He could still be a useful player for Inter but if he does want to move and PSG offer the right money, then there is a possibility that the move could happen.

Daniele De Rossi (Roma)

Daniele De Rossi has been one of the best players for Roma over the years and with Francesco Totti nearing the end of his brilliant career, De Rossi could even be the future captain for the club. He has played for more than a decade for Roma and is one of the biggest fan favorites at his club. His presence on the pitch is very important for Roma as he is very influential and can help Roma dominate the midfield. He is also a vital player for Italy and with the Euro 2012 coming up in the summer, it is doubtful if he will move to a club where he could receive lesser playing time.

He is yet to sign a new contract at Roma which is a cause of concern for the club and has attracted the interest of some of the big clubs like Manchester City. However according to Goal.com, he is open to signing a new contract and staying at Roma but does want to have a minimum fee exit clause in his contract which could be triggered if they fail to qualify for the Champions League in the future.

Robinho (AC Milan)

Robinho is another AC Milan striker who has been linked with a move away from the San Siro and though it is quite unlikely to happen this January, it cannot be ruled out especially if Alexandre Pato stays and Carlos Tevez is signed. Massimiliano Allegri has shown good faith in the Brazilian international and though Robinho has impressed for the Rossoneri in many games, he has also been culpable of some gaping misses which has affected their results. If Tevez is signed by Milan in this January transfer window, it will be difficult for Milan to accommodate that many strikers who will all be on high wage deals.

Also, it is also likely that Tevez could be paired with Zlatan Ibrahimovic which could result in lesser playing time for Robinho. Chelsea have been linked with a move for Robinho and could move for the AC Milan striker considering that Nicolas Anelka has left the club and Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou could also depart in the summer. However, it does seem that Robinho has settled well at Milan and it is unlikely that he would look to go back to England where he struggled with Manchester City.

Fabio Quagliarella (Juventus)

Fabio Quagliarella is a very talented striker as he has showed over the years scoring many sensational goals for his different clubs as well as country. However, he has not been an integral player for the Juventus side under Antonio Conte and has been benched for several games this season. With the Euro tournament in the summer, he needs to play regularly in order to be selected to represent Italy in the Euros. Also, with some strikers ahead of him in the pecking order, he could look for a move to get regular playing time and could even more to another Serie A club.

According to Goal.com, Roma are interested in signing the striker in order to have a strong second half of the season. However, Juventus would be more interested to sell the striker to a club which is not in the Serie A. It is a good possibility that there could be teams around the world will be interested in the forward and he still has the time to seal a move to a new club in this January transfer window.

Milos Krasic (Juventus)

Milos Krasic is another Juventus player who has been linked with an exit from the club after not featuring as a regular under the new manager Antonio Conte. With the manager doing very well at Juventus, Krasic has not had regular opportunities and has been linked with an exit with both Manchester United and Chelsea linked with the midfielder. The Serbian international is undoubtedly a very talented player and could be a good addition to another team where he can play regularly. Krasic could also be let leave on loan deal with a view to a permanent deal in the future.

The Serbian international is a very committed player and does have the quality to play at the highest level. Despite not playing regularly for Juventus, he has remained professional but could leave the club in the January transfer window. Every footballer loves to play regularly which is why Krasic wants to leave Juventus.

Edinson Cavani (Napoli)

Edinson Cavani is one of the best strikers in the world and has been very good in the last couple of years for Napoli as he has shown his quality by scoring regularly in not only the domestic league but also in European competitions. Cavani has often scored against the top teams in Serie A and is one of the more complete strikers in the world. He has the ability to play at the highest level and with Napoli struggling to qualify for the Champions League this season, he could move from Napoli though it is more likely that he will stay at Napoli at least till the run.

He has been linked with a move to Liverpool and also Manchester City in the past but it is more likely that he will stay at Napoli at least till the end of the season. Also, he will probably join one of the best clubs in the world, where he can expect to play regular Champions League football. Napoli will be keen to retain all their important players at least till the end of the season, which is why it is more likely that Cavani will continue to be at Napoli despite rumors.

Maicon (Inter Milan)

Brazilian defender Maicon could be one of the Serie A players to move out of Italy with some big clubs interested in his services. He had an exceptional 2009-10 season when Jose Mourinho was in charge of the club and though his form subsequently dropped in the next season, he has been better this season and is still an integral player for Inter Milan. The Brazilian international has immense experience and could be a quality addition to most teams in the world. According to this report, Real Madrid and Paris St.Germain are interested in acquiring the services of the defender.

Maicon was one of the most important players in Inter Milan’s treble winning season under Jose Mourinho and the Real Madrid manager could look to unite with him again. With Sergio Ramos playing a lot of games at centre back, it is quite possible that Mourinho could utilize both of them in the same starting eleven as well. However, the question on whether a move is possible depends on whether Inter Milan are willing to sell and also on Maicon’s preferences.