January 2026 transfer window: Serie A giants’ plans and ambitions | OneFootball

From January 2 to February 2, the winter transfer market sparks dreams and maneuvers: Inter, Milan, Napoli, Roma, Juventus, and Lazio are studying targeted reinforcements, balancing immediate needs with future visions.

January 2026 Transfer Market: Strategies, Ambitions, and Opportunities for Serie A’s Top Clubs

With the official opening of the January 2026 transfer window, Serie A enters its most delicate off-field phase. The winter session has always been a complex testing ground: just a few weeks, limited room for maneuver, high costs, and the need to intervene without upsetting the balance. Yet, amid injuries, disappointments, and sudden opportunities, all the big clubs are called upon to assess if and how to act.

Below is a thorough and optimized analysis of the transfer strategies of the main teams, in order of league standings, with a focus on objectives, possible departures, and hot names.

Inter – Consolidating Leadership (36 points)

At Inter, the official stance remains cautious, but Dumfries’ injury has changed the priorities. The right flank is now the real issue: Luis Henrique hasn’t convinced, and Darmian doesn’t guarantee consistency. The Palestra idea is more of an investment for the summer, while the Cancelo option remains a concrete suggestion to monitor until the end.

In defense, Muharemovic from Sassuolo is liked, but only in the case of a major departure: however, de Vrij and Acerbi don’t seem inclined to move before June. On the outgoing front, Frattesi is expendable, but the €30-35 million valuation makes the operation complicated in January. Palacios, who is out of the technical project, also needs to be sorted out.

Milan – Scudetto Ambition and Attack to Refine (35 points)

The arrival of Fullkrug doesn’t close the offensive chapter. Allegri wants high-level alternatives to stay attached to the top, especially if Nkunku leaves for Turkey. The dream remains Vlahovic, with the idea of getting ahead of the competition in view of June when he’ll be a free agent.

Young and promising profiles like Kostic and Sidiki Cherif are liked, while Zirkzee remains a shared target with Roma, though hampered by Manchester United’s valuation. In the background, big media names: “Icardi”, “Nunez”, “Mateta”. In defense, experience is needed: Kim is the ideal profile, but Bayern won’t allow a loan. Viable alternatives lead to Disasi (Chelsea) or Luiz Felipe (Rayo Vallecano).

Napoli – Financial Balance and Targeted Choices (34 points)

Napoli must operate with a zero balance, and this affects every decision. The attack is the department under observation: Lucca seemed set to leave, but Lukaku’s prolonged absence could change plans. No confirmation of a Lucca-Dovbyk swap with Roma, denied by the management.

The profile sought is that of a versatile forward, able to play as a winger, especially if Lang leaves: the feeling with Conte never blossomed. In midfield, given the injury emergency, Mainoo and Timber are still being monitored, awaiting the return of Anguissa and Gilmour.

Roma – Gasperini Steps on the Accelerator (33 points)

Roma is looking for goals and consistency. Dovbyk and Ferguson haven’t convinced, while Dybala and Soulé are struggling with physical issues. The first name on the list is Raspadori, with the Giallorossi ahead in the transfer derby with Lazio. The other big target is Zirkzee, but everything depends on Manchester United’s final decision.

Gasperini would also like a pure left winger: Wesley is adapting, but performs better on the right. Here, a last-minute opportunity could arise.

Juventus – Between Dreams and Sustainability (32 points)

Spalletti has clear ideas: “We need a right-back, a playmaker, and a striker.” The first is a relative need, with Norton-Cuffy under special observation and Cancelo always in the background. In midfield, the dream is Tonali, but January makes the operation almost utopian. Hojbjerg and Ruben Neves are also very difficult.

Guido Rodriguez and Schlager are liked, while the Frattesi track remains alive, a real favorite of the coach. In attack, David and Openda don’t offer absolute guarantees. Attention also to departures: Perin, Miretti, Joao Mario, Kostic, Adzic, and Rouhi are names to watch.

Lazio – The Market That Defines a Season (24 points)

For Sarri, January is “the real start of the project.” After the summer freeze, Lazio restarts with about €30 million from Castellanos’ sale to West Ham. The main target is the attack: Raspadori is liked, but Roma is ahead. The romantic suggestion is Insigne, a free agent waiting for a signal from his former coach.

In midfield, Sarri dreams of Samardzic, but Atalanta won’t give discounts. Torino won’t allow Ilic to leave. On the left, a revolution is possible: with Nuno Tavares tempted by Saudi Arabia, the focus is on Aaron Martin from Genoa, with Pedraza as an alternative.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.