Transfer Deadline Day: 10 Biggest Deals in Serie A
Serie A was busy on transfer deadline day as clubs tried to strike last minute deals to strengthen for the new season.
All of the Serie A owners gathered at the usual place, the Atahotel Executive in Milan, where deals could all be thrashed out without the complications of last-minute travel.
Here are the 10 biggest deals that happened in Italy on deadline day.
Luca Toni: Al Nasr to Fiorentina (Free)
1 of 10Luca Toni made the shock return to Fiorentina on the deadline day with a free transfer from UAE club Al Nasr.
Toni was sensational for the Viola from 2005-2007, scoring 47 goals in 67 matches to earn a big move to Bayern Munich.
The 35-year-old will hope that his career is reignited in Florence with Fiorentina manager Vincenzo Montella's revolution.
Giandomenico Mesto: Genoa to Napoli (Terms Undisclosed)
2 of 10Giandomenico Mesto completes a permanent transfer from Genoa to Napoli, a surprise considering Genoa also sold another right-back, sending Nenad Tomović to Fiorentina.
Mesto will provide excellent cover for Christian Maggio, although it's unthinkable that he could displace the Italian international.
Mesto is a similar player to Maggio who will be capable of defending adequately and providing the surging runs that club manager Walter Mazzarri demands in his favourite 3-5-1-1 formation.
Marco Borriello: Roma to Genoa (Season-Long Loan)
3 of 10Marco Borriello continues his search to find a club where he is loved and he might have just found it, securing a loan move back to former club Genoa.
Ironically, it was at Genoa where he last found his best form, scoring 19 goals in 35 games.
Having played with Milan, Roma, and Juventus since, but unable to command a regular first-team place with any of them, this would appear to be the perfect move to reignite his career.
It will also be fascinating to monitor whether he can strike up a potent partnership with Ciro Immobile.
Alberto Gilardino: Genoa to Bologna (Season-Long Loan)
4 of 10Alberto Gilardino's move to Genoa has not worked out as he would have hoped.
After just six months, several niggling injuries and poor form have led to him moving to Bologna on loan, where he hopes to rediscover his form, as his career appears to be dwindling.
Gilardino only scored two goals from open play in his 14 appearances for Genoa since joining in January.
Marco Di Vaio has proved that Bologna can be the perfect place to rediscover your form as you approach the end of your career—Gilardino can take inspiration from this.
Maicon: Inter Milan to Manchester City (€6 Million)
5 of 10Maicon's superb spell with Inter Milan has finally ended, six years after arriving from Monaco.
Ultimately, the Brazilian was sacrificed in the Nerazzurri's summer rebuilding due to his extortionate wages.
With only a year left on his contract, the move to Manchester City seems like good business for all involved.
Nicklas Bendtner: Arsenal to Juventus (Season-Long Loan)
6 of 10Nicklas Bendtner secured a move away from the Premier League, joining Juventus on loan, which is bound to be beneficial to the Dane as he seeks to launch his career to the next level.
His record for Denmark is superb, especially his performances at Euro 2012, and the 24-year-old will be hoping to replicate this at club level.
With Alessandro Matri, Fabio Quagliarella and Mirko Vučinić in less than convincing form, it appears that the Dane will get his chance to earn a permanent move to the Bianconeri.
Matija Nastasić: Fiorentina to Manchester City (€15 Million)
7 of 10Manchester City dipped into the Serie A market again to prize away one of the most talented defenders the league, Matija Nastasić.
Serbian has been sensational for Fiorentina and City were happy to send Stefan Savić in the opposite direction to sweeten the deal.
The 19-year-old is still raw, though, and will be hoping that his development is not stunted by a lack of game time.
Gastón Ramírez: Bologna to Southampton (€15.2 Million)
8 of 10Gastón Ramírez finally clinched his protracted transfer to Southampton in the final hours of the window.
The Saints paid a record fee of €15.2 million for the Uruguay international and will hope that he can inspire them to safety in the Premier League.
Ramírez will be adept at fulfilling any role in the front three of manager Nigel Adkins' preferred 4-3-3 formation, with his long-range shooting worth looking out for in particular.
Edinson Cavani: Contract Extension with Napoli
9 of 10Edinson Cavani was linked with a move away from the club throughout the summer, but the speculation has been ended with his signing a new contract through 2017.
Crucially, though, club chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis inserted a buyout clause of €60 million to fend off any future suitors.
The Uruguayan is one of the best strikers in the world and Serie A is fortunate to be able to hold on to him for at least another six months.
Nigel De Jong: Manchester City to AC Milan (€3.5 Million)
10 of 10Nigel de Jong signed with Milan on deadline day to give the Rossoneri a boost entering the new season without many of their stars from last year.
The Dutch international will provide plenty of fight and athleticism to a somewhat sluggish midfield.
The fact that Milan paid just €3.5 million shows that it was a gamble worth taking and he should adequately replace—and possibly prove to be an upgrade on—his compatriot Mark van Bommel.
