Ranking the Top 10 Strikers in Serie A After the 2014 Transfer Window

Though there were no superstar strikers who joined Serie A over the summer transfer window (unless you count a fading Fernando Torres), the Italian league did manage to hang on to the majority of its quality forwards heading into the new season.

Many of those who were challenging for the Capocannoniere title will be having another crack at it in 2014-15, with a couple of youngsters joining a host of veterans on our list of the best strikers in the league.

Argentines dominate the Top 10, with a few Italians also making an appearance. 

We are sticking strictly to strikers who play as the No. 9 for their team, or are at least the most advanced player in general, which rules out wide attackers, such as Dries Mertens and Lorenzo Insigne, and second strikers, such as Sebastian Giovinco.

Those who narrowly missed out on the Top 10 include Antonio Di Natale, Miroslav Klose, Paulo Dybala, German Denis, Alberto Paloschi, Kingsley Coman and Dani Osvaldo.

Here are the 10 best strikers in Serie A at present.

10. Fernando Llorente

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He may play second fiddle to Carlos Tevez and be set for some competition for game time from new recruit Kingsley Coman, but Fernando Llorente is still a world-class striker who could yet make a huge mark on Serie A if he is given the opportunity.

The giant Spain striker formed a formidable partnership with his Argentine companion last campaign, picking up 16 league goals. He can be considered somewhat unfortunate to miss out on selection for his national team for the World Cup in Brazil.

Now in his second season in Serie A after many bountiful years at Athletic Bilbao, the 29-year-old can be expected to perform at an even higher level this time around and perhaps even challenge for the Capocannoniere crown.

9. Domenico Berardi

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Italy U21 international Domenico Berardi was one of the revelations of Italian football in 2013-14.

The 20-year-old is owned by Juventus but will spend a second season on loan at Sassuolo, the club where he made a name for himself as a prodigy in Serie B.

He added to his burgeoning reputation in his first crack at the top flight, scoring an impressive 16 goals last term, including four in one game against Milan. 

If he keeps up the brilliant work for Sassuolo, Juventus will be reluctant to loan him out for much longer.

8. Luca Toni

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Towering forward Luca Toni never really relied on pace or delicate touches at any point in his career, so there is little wonder that he is still plundering goals in his late thirties.

Even playing for little Hellas Verona, the 6'4" hit man scored 20 times in Serie A last campaign, taking his career total to 240 league goals in the process.

There is no reason to think he won't repeat the dosage in 2014-15, either, as a new generation of defenders discover just how hard it is to mark this veteran target man.

7. Francesco Totti

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The grand old man of Italian football has only slowed down ever so slightly in the last few years and remains an integral part of Roma's title ambitions.

Still possessed of breathtaking skills, Francesco Totti can play as a trequartista, a false nine or a traditional striker, depending on what is required by the coach.

If he can remain injury free over the coming months, he could be near the top of the scoring charts yet again, as he endeavours to add to his 234 Serie A goals.

6. Mattia Destro

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Roma's other option up front is emerging star Mattia Destro, who plays a simpler game than Totti but can be highly effective when goals are required.

A first-rate poacher, no opposition defence can consider itself safe when Destro is lurking in the box. What he does may look quite basic, but those with a good knowledge of the game will realise just how valuable his skills are.

The 23-year-old netted 13 times in just 20 Serie A appearances last campaign, so it would be no surprise if he is even more prolific this time around, as he continues to grow in importance at the capital club.

5. Mauro Icardi

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Perhaps the brightest attacking prospect emerging in Serie A at the moment, Mauro Icardi will be hoping to build on a promising 2013-14 season and establish himself as a key figure at Inter.

Physically robust, but also highly skilled, Icardi has the attributes to become a great No. 9 in years to come. He may even earn that status over the next year or two if his development continues along its current path.

The 21-year-old has already shown flashes of what he is capable of, so if he can become a little more consistent at producing the goods, he should soon be a fan favourite at Inter and earning a regular spot in the Argentina squad.

4. Giuseppe Rossi

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Even for non-Fiorentina fans, news of Giuseppe Rossi's latest injury must have caused some dismay.

The likeable American-born Italian has had a horror run of injuries, but whenever he returns to action he always manages to prove his quality within a short period of time.

The talented poacher nabbed 16 goals in just 21 appearances in 2013-14. At 27, he still has the scope to greatly improve once he returns from this latest setback.

3. Rodrigo Palacio

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Like a fine Argentine Malbec, Rodrigo Palacio seems to get better with age.

While he took a few years to properly settle in Italian football, he is now one of the premier forwards on the peninsula.

He still has much of the electric pace of his youth, but he has now added more guile to his game, as well as composure in front of goal.

At 32, Palacio has become the leader of the Inter Milan attack, and he can be expected to bang in plenty of goals as the Nerazzurri attempt to regain their status as a Serie A powerhouse.

2. Carlos Tevez

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Arguably the biggest star of all currently plying his trade in Italy, Tevez's astonishing career does not look like slowing down any time soon.

He appears settled and happy at Juventus and looks to have left behind the controversy that dogged him for so many years at other clubs. 

Last season, "Carlitos" was prolific, scoring 19 goals and proving one of the major driving forces behind his team's third straight Scudetto.

Such is his class that the 30-year-old will be key if Juve are to compete for the Champions League after years of underwhelming in Europe.

1. Gonzalo Higuain

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Following a disappointing World Cup in terms of finding the back of the net, early-season form indicates Gonzalo Higuain is primed for a massive 2014-15 for Napoli.

The Argentine target man has an uncanny ability to hit the target and is surprisingly skilful for a player who can sometimes look ungainly.

The former River Plate and Real Madrid man may not have the natural talent of a Tevez or Totti, but through hard work and determination, he has become one of the most effective strikers in world football.

Napoli will be relying heavily on their main striker. Luckily for them, Higuain almost always delivers.