Among the notable departures are veterans Francesco Acerbi, Matteo Darmian, and Stefan de Vrij. In their place, Inter has welcomed new signings, including Spanish goalkeeper Josep Martinez, who is expected to step in for the recently departed Yann Sommer. The club has also secured the services of Died Spence, who gained recognition for his performances with the England national team during the 2026 World Cup, and experienced Manchester City defender John Stones. Additionally, Manuel Akanji has made his loan move permanent after joining Inter last season, while Denzel Dumfries has transferred to Real Madrid.
Inter is also in pursuit of Liverpool midfielder Curtis Jones, aiming to maintain a competitive squad capable of challenging on multiple fronts. With captain Lautaro Martinez and French forward Marcus Thuram leading the attack, supported by promising talents like Pio Esposito and Ange-Yoan Bonny, the team is eyeing a third league title in four seasons. They are also determined to improve upon a disappointing European campaign that saw them exit in the knockout play-off round against Norway's Bodo/Glimt.
AC Milan's Ambitious Rebuild
The competition to dethrone Inter appears fierce, particularly with city rivals AC Milan appointing former Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim to rejuvenate their squad after a fifth-place finish last season. Milan has made a significant investment, breaking their transfer record by acquiring Portugal forward
Amorim expressed his enthusiasm for the challenge ahead, acknowledging the club's rich history and passionate fanbase. "I know exactly what this club means: history, prestige, and an extraordinary fanbase around the world," he stated following his appointment in June. Anything less than a return to the Champions League would be seen as a setback for the seven-time European champions, who have faced a series of frustrating seasons.
Challenges for Napoli and Juventus
Napoli, who finished second last season, will also be navigating a new era under the management of Massimiliano Allegri, following Antonio Conte's departure. Allegri, a seasoned coach with six Serie A titles to his name, faces scrutiny after a disappointing tenure at Milan that ended with the club missing out on Champions League qualification. Meanwhile, Napoli's transfer activity has been minimal, with Romelu Lukaku leaving for Turkey, leaving Rasmus Hojlund as the primary striker for the defending champions.
Juventus, who ended last season in sixth place, are aiming for a top-four finish amid ongoing financial challenges. The club has undergone significant changes, including the departure of Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, previously the highest-paid player in Serie A. Despite these challenges, Juventus has invested over 40 million euros to bring in French forward Randal Kolo Muani.
As the new season unfolds, teams like Roma and ambitious Como, who finished third under Gian Piero Gasperini and are preparing for their Champions League debut, could seize the opportunity should Milan and Juventus falter again. Meanwhile, Fiorentina has invested more than 120 million euros to commemorate the club's centenary and to move past a disappointing 2025-26 season that saw them finish in 15th place.
