Chief spenders were Roma, or Barceroma as they have been dubbed, looking to strengthen their squad in anticipation and hope of a title push this campaign. In came Lyon’s Miralem Pjanic, scuppering Arsenal’s loan move for Yoann Gourcuff from the French club.
Roma also brought in Simon Kjaer, Denmark’s talented defender from Wolsburg, and they also took Real Madrid’s Fernando Gago on loan. New manager Luis Enrique will be optimistic that his additions can help strengthen all areas of the side as they look to challenge the Milanese dominance of Serie A.
Speaking of the Milanese, champions AC spent on just one player on deadline day, bringing in Antonio Nocerino from Palermo to strengthen their midfield. And their rivals Inter brought in the Uruguayan forward Diego Forlan from Atletico Madrid to replace the now departed Samuel Eto’o. Mauro Zarate, who had been linked with all kinds of clubs, ended up at the San Siro as well, signing for Inter on loan from Lazio.
Juventus have struggled in recent times but new manager Antonio Conte is looking to make the Old Lady a force once more, and the deadline day capture of Eljero Elia is designed to give them pace and skill on the left wing, to complement Milos Krasic on the right.
Elsewhere, Udinese brought in the Uruguayan right back Maxi Pereira from River Plate, a great addition to their squad as they look to repeat last year’s superb fourth place finish.
As in Italy, there were the symptoms of over spending as Inter look to cut down on their high wage diet which brought them the Champions League trophy. Debt is high elsewhere in the league, with Juventus, Napoli and Roma the only exceptions to the rules which dictate clubs must cut back spending. For Juve, a new stadium which they own will give them added revenues in the years to come, whilst Roma were taken over by an American businessman last season, Thomas di Benedetto. Napoli on the other hand, are simply well run, and the exception to the rule in Serie A.
For now though, the league will look to fight back to catch up with their European rivals whilst cutting its spending.
