The winter transfer market for Italian football is entering its final, frenzied days, with clubs making significant moves to strengthen their squads as the deadline looms on February 3, 2025. The narrative of the transfer window has shifted dramatically, particularly for AC Milan, who are engaged in what can only be described as unprecedented actions aimed not just at bolstering their ranks but also at reshaping the future of the team.
One of the most discussed targets for Milan is Feyenoord's Santiago Gimenez, whose stellar performances have put him at the top of the Rossoneri’s wish list. According to CorSport, "Tutto ruota attorno a Santiago Gimenez, bomber del Feyenoord." While negotiations seemed to stall for a moment, the tone has changed, and Milan has returned with renewed vigor, eager to meet Feyenoord's demands for around 40 million euros, reportedly only needing to settle on bonus arrangements to finalize the deal.
Should this transfer materialize, it will likely pave the way for Alvaro Morata's exit to Galatasaray on loan, with the Turkish club reportedly ready to meet the requirement for his permanent transfer for 10 million euros. Meanwhile, the situation surrounding Milan’s player Rafael Leao remains tense. An enticing offer of 85 million euros from Al-Nassr was recently rejected, with the club standing firm on their stance to retain the Portuguese star until at least the summer.
Milan's ambition doesn't stop with Gimenez, as they are reportedly also chasing Chelsea's Joao Felix to complete their attacking lineup for the remainder of the season. On the defensive front, they face tough negotiations with Tottenham Hotspur over the potential sale of Fikayo Tomori for around 30 million euros. Here, the decision lies heavily on Tomori himself, who must weigh his options before committing.
Meanwhile, Juventus is also remaining active. With defender Kalulu sidelined due to injury, the Bianconeri’s focus has turned to Lens’ Kevin Danso. Giuntoli had initially targeted Renato Veiga but shifted priorities when Kalulu's injury emerged. According to CorSport, "Giuntoli pensava di aver riempito la casella con Renato Veiga, ma l’infortunio di Kalulu lo ha indotto a ripuntare su Danso.” The primary discussion now centers around whether Juventus can convince Lens to release Danso on the preferred terms or if they will need to recalibrate their strategies.
Juventus remains optimistic about career-defining decisions based on the player’s preferences, as is often the case during these negotiations. The window remains open for late changes, especially if Manchester City makes strides to sign Andrea Cambiaso, whose position remains uncertain following fitness issues. If nothing emerges from this front, Juventus has plans to wrap up their business early, barring any extraordinary late developments.
Over at Napoli, the situation is similarly dynamic. They’re seeking not just any defensive reinforcement but aiming for standout performers to replace Kvaratskhelia. CorSport notes how Manna is pushing to seal the deal with Comuzzo, with bids currently at 35 million euros. There’s still some distance between negotiations, as Florentina’s president holds firm at 40 million, but Napoli continues to hunt for the best value possible, determined to finalize this before the window closes.
While Napoli's main attacker, Kvaratskhelia, has raised questions of replacements, options like Saint-Maximine and Boga are presently on the table. The latter seems to be slightly favored, but complications remain due to the closure of the Arab market, necessitating additional permissions for any agreements.
Inter Milan has been minimalistic, focusing primarily on the replacement for the outgoing Buchanan, anticipated to join Villarreal soon. Nicola Zalewski appears to be their target, contingent upon finalizing his contract extension with Roma, who is positioned firmly to conclude their business.
Speaking of Roma, they have been equally proactive, officially confirming the loan of Hermoso to Bayer Leverkusen and are prepared to say goodbye to Paredes as he eyes a transfer back to Boca Juniors. This sentiment has already ignited rumors concerning potential replacements, including Jorginho from Arsenal, who will be brothered with speculation until the end of the transfer window.
Elsewhere, the transfer market continues to hum with activity. Inter’s acquisition of Zalewski from Roma and Atalanta's securing of Paolo Maldini from Monza highlight how the market is rocking and rolling. With interim deals potentially coming to fruition (as seen with Zaniolo possibly transferring to Fiorentina), and Chelsea's Casadei set for Torino, the stakes are ever higher.
With everything still up for grabs, clubs are racing against the clock to secure their next big signings, and fans are on the edge of their seats, eager to see who their teams will bring on board before the window closes. The Italian football transfer scene has turned electric and is bound to conclude with several surprises right at the deadline.