Serie A 24/25 – Five wonderkids to watch, biggest summer signings and predicted table

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Inter to retain title? 

Serie A gets underway this afternoon with champions Inter Milan travelling to Genoa before rivals AC Milan host Torino this evening. Inter reclaimed the Scudetto last season and they were comfortably the best side in Italy, finishing 19 points ahead of their city rivals. No Italian club has won consecutive titles since Juventus in 2020 but Inter are strong favourites to retain their crown. 

AC and Juventus were their main challengers last season but Antonio Conte will be eyeing a triumphant return to Serie A. The enigmatic Italian will be tasked with transforming Napoli’s fortune’s after a dreadful 10th place finish, following their first title in 30 years. Eight Italian clubs will compete in European competitions after their impressive exploits on the continent last season with the highlight Atalanta’s shock Europa League triumph over Bayer Leverkusen. There’s few more picturesque locations to play football than the banks of Lake Como and Cesc Fàbregas’ men will draw plenty of attention. It’s all set-up for another thrilling Serie A and we’ve analysed some fascinating talking points. 

The biggest Serie A transfers this summer

There’s only been three signings over three new arrivals in Serie A for over €30 million with Douglas Luiz the most expensive signing. Juventus paid Aston Villa €51.5 to sign the Brazilian international and he will be integral to the new era under Thiago Motta after he swapped Bologna for Turin. Alessandro Buongiorno was amongst the best defenders in Serie A last season and Conte has identified him as ideal for his preferred 3-5-2 formation. 

As the graphic above illustrates, Artem Dovbyk ranks third after Roma splurged €30.5m to sign the Ukrainian striker. The 27-year-old netted 24 La Liga goals as Girona achieved Champions League qualification and he will replace Romelu Lukaku as Roma’s main striker. Daniel de Rossi’s men feature twice in the top after signing Matías Soulé from Juventus following his standout loan displays Frosione with new Inter Milan Davide Frattesi completing the top five.  

Five U21 Serie A starlets to watch

Juventus fans have questioned the decision to allow Soulé to join Roma this summer given his impressive displays for Frosione with 11 goals and 3 assists in Serie A. The 20-year-old’s market value increased by €21m across last season and Roma paid just slightly over his €25m valuation to sign him. An electric winger with impressive technical skills, Soule could be one of the stars of Serie A and is destined for a senior Argentina call-up. 

Fransesco Camarda made his senior debut for AC Milan last season aged just 16 and he’s viewed as a star of the future. The young Italian striker is the most valuable player in the world born in 2008 at €10m and he could be afforded first-team chances next season. 

Michael Kayode enjoyed a €10m upgrade in the last Serie A market value update after a stunning breakthrough season for Fiorentina. The former Juventus academy graduate was one of the best young right-backs in Europe as he made 37 appearances. Kayode didn’t feature in the latter rounds of the Conference League as Fiorentina reached the final but he possesses incredible potential. 

Kenan Yildiz featured in all five of Turkey’s games at Euro 2024 to reaffirm his reputation as one of the best young strikers in Europe. Despite another disappointing season for Juventuts, Yildiz offered a glimmer of hope for the future eight goal contributions. The 19-year-old can play anywhere across the front three or as an attacking midfielder and his versatility should lead to plenty of gametime under Motta. 

Santiago Castro made the move to Bologna in January and he enjoyed some cameo appearances as they finished 5th. But Castro will feature more regularly after acclimatising to Italian football and with Joshua Zirkezee departing for Manchester United. Castro has been compared to countryman and Inter Milan talisman Lautaro Martinez with his explosiveness and movement. 

The final 24/25 Serie A table based on market value 

Transfermarkt are famed for their market values and we’ve produced the final Serie A table based purely on those statistics. Unsurprisingly, Inter Milan would regain their title as they possess the most valuable squad in Italy at €682m. AC Milan and Juventus rank second and third with Napoli taking the final guaranteed Champions spot, despite finishing 10th last season. Verona, Venezia and Empoli would be relegated based on their market values while newcomers Como would avoid the drop with the 16th most valuable squad.