Serie A transfer market grades: A.C. Milan, A.S. Roma and Inter

In a summer transfer window in which Serie A clubs spent a record £590 million, we grade how well A.C. Milan, A.S. Roma and Inter invested in new players as three of Italy’s “Seven Sisters” look to challenge Juventus’ dominance on the peninsula.

A.C. Milan

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Arrivals: Gianluca Lapadula (£7.65m), Gustavo Gomez (£7.65m), Jose Sosa (£6.23m), Mario Pasalic (£850k loan fee), Matias Fernandez (£680k loan fee), Leonel Vangioni (free transfer).
Total: £22.78m

Departures: Stephan El Shaarawy (£11.05m), Simone Verdi (£1.28m), Kevin Prince Boateng (free transfer), Alessandro Matri (free transfer), Fernando Torres (free transfer), Jeremy Menez (free transfer).
Total: £12.33m

Grade: E

After hearing that their club had been acquired by the Sino-Europe Investment Management Changxing group for a reported £628 million at the start of August, A.C. Milan fans rightfully believed that the Rossoneri were set to splash the cash during the final few weeks of the transfer window. Despite rumours of signing Juan Cuadrado, Cesc Fabregas and Eliaquim Managala however, Milan fans were left disappointed by a lack of activity in the mercato. The retention of the services of the highly coveted Alessio Romagnoli was arguably the only positive during a summer in which A.C. Milan failed to explicitly improve their squad.

A.S. Roma

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Arrivals: Gerson (£14.11m), Mohamed Salah (£12.75m), Stephan El Shaarawy (£11.05m), Edin Dzeko (£9.35m), Diego Perotti (£7.65m), Antonio Rudiger (£7.65m), Alisson (£6.80m), Mario Rui (£2.55m loan fee), Ervin Zukanovic (£2.38m), Juan Jesus (£1.70m loan fee), Federico Fazio (£1.02m), Bruno Peres (£850k), Thomas Vermaelen (loan).
Total: £83.39m

Departures: Miralem Pjanic (£27.20m), Adem Ljajic (£7.23m), Dodo (£6.63m), Antonio Sanabria (£6.38m), Matteo Politano (£2.98m), Seydou Doumbia (£1.70m loan fee), Ervin Zukanovic (£850k loan fee), Leandro Castan (£425k loan fee), Stefano Pettinari (£340k), Alessandro Crescenzi (£255k), Tomas Vestenicky (£255k), Morgan De Sanctis (free transfer).
Total: £54.23m

Grade: B

Although A.S. Roma sold their most productive player – Miralem Pjanic – this summer, the Giallorossi can be seen to have had a successful mercato. The activation of the options to sign Mohamed Salah, Stephan El Shaarawy, Antonio Rudiger, Edin Dzeko and Diego Perotti proved to be the majority of the capital club’s summer outlay; £48.45m of the £83.39m spent.

With the most potent attack in the Serie A signed on permanent deals, Roma’s new additions ahead of the 2016/17 season address their need for defensive cover after a season in which Luciano Spalletti’s side conceded 21 goals more than Serie A champions: Juventus. The signings of Juan Jesus, Federico Fazio and Thomas Vermaelen this summer have been made to tighten up Roma’s leaky defence, while the loan signing of full back Bruno Peres from Torino will provide the Giallorossi another attacking outlet.

Inter

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Arrivals: Joao Mario (£34m), Gabriel (£23.38m), Antonio Candreva (£18.70m), Dodo (£6.63m), Cristian Ansaldi (£5.10m), Marcelo Brozovic (£4.25m), Gianluca Caprari (£3.83m), Rey Manaj (£425k), Ever Banega (free transfer).
Total: £96.31m

Departures: Cristiano Biraghi (£3.40m), Diego Laxalt (£3.40m), Lorenzo Crisetig (£2.30m), Juan Jesus (£1.70m loan fee).
Total: £10.80m

Grade: A

Unlike their inner-city rivals, after being acquired by Chinese investors – Suning Holdings Group – Inter invested heavily during the summer transfer window; spending a total of £96.31 million on new players. The Nerazzurri spent the majority of their budget on new attacking talent, bringing Joao Mario, Gabriel and Antonio Candreva to San Siro for a combined £76.08 million.