The summer transfer window saw billions of pounds spent across the Premier League alone, with European clubs also making a number of big moves.
Yan Diomande moved to Real Madrid for more than £100m, while rivals Barcelona splashed the cash on Anthony Gordon and Rodri, with Milan moving for Goncalo Ramos in a £70m move from Paris Saint-Germain.
We spoke to transfer journalist Gianluca Di Marzio to get his thoughts on a whole host of subjects, including who he thought had the best transfer window, which Serie A clubs he's most excited about, and who the next £100m player could be.
As a transfer market expert, which club in Europe do you think had the best transfer window this summer, and why? Who do you think will prove to be the signing of the summer?
I think the best European transfer window this summer belonged to Paris Saint-Germain, because they once again managed to bring in top-quality, high-potential youngsters like Akliouche and Godts—a player I personally love. And because a transfer window isn't just about who you buy, but also how well you sell.
PSG handled sales brilliantly, moving on players like Kolo Muani, who no longer fit their tactical or financial plans, whilst still making a profit. Then there was Gonçalo Ramos, a squad option whose departure brought in over €70m plus add-ons—a massive deal. They also cashed in on Barcola for a hefty fee after he wanted out due to a lack of playing time.
To top it all off, they added Ferran Torres, an ideal fit for Luis Enrique's style. He gives them the tactical flexibility to play with an out-and-out striker like Torres or Dembélé, or use Dembélé centrally with Torres arriving effectively off the bench. Securing the man who scored Spain's World Cup-winning goal makes this comfortably one of the standout deals of the summer. That's why PSG are my pick for the best window.
As for the signing of the summer, I think it could prove to be Rodri. He brings not just the charisma, leadership, and winning mentality he's picked up with Spain and Manchester City, but also vital tactical balance. Barcelona are such an explosive, attack-minded side with enormous talent, but they've always leaked goals at the back. Rodri could be the missing jigsaw piece that finally helps Barcelona go all the way in the UEFA Champions League.
Which player(s) do you think could be at the centre of a major transfer saga over the next 12 months?
Even though it's early days, I think the main protagonist of next summer's transfer window could be Liverpool's Mac Allister. There's no talk of a new deal, Manchester City already showed interest over the summer, and he's a player who would instantly improve any top European club.
Another potential surprise could be Kenan Yıldız. Last summer, Juventus received massive enquiries—some reaching triple figures—from clubs like Arsenal and Tottenham, but Juve never entertained them.
It remains to be seen if they'll adopt a different stance next summer, especially having already signed Alajbegović as his heir apparent. Then we'll have to watch the situations surrounding Rodrygo and Endrick at Real Madrid: Rodrygo is returning from injury, whilst for Endrick we'll see if another loan or a permanent exit is on the cards. Either way, those two could be huge Brazilian transfer sagas next summer.
Which young player in Europe do you think could be the next to command a transfer fee of over €100 million?
The next €100m-plus young star—or rather, a player well past the €100m mark—has to be Yıldız. If Juventus ever decide to cash in, it would definitely be for a massive triple-figure fee. We're not talking €110m or €120m, but something much closer to €150m. So, if I have to name one player guaranteed to break the €100m barrier if he moves, it's Juventus' Yıldız.
Napoli's start to the season has raised some questions about the squad they built over the summer. Do you think they are still missing something, and if so, which area of the squad should they look to strengthen? And how important will it be for Napoli to secure McTominay's long-term future given the recent discussion surrounding him?
Napoli definitely need strengthening. They didn't really bolster the squad over the summer, partly because they had a lot of players returning from loan, and partly due to financial constraints and internal limitations that restricted what they could spend. In fact, their window was limited to low-cost deals for Favasuli and Badiashile.
I expect Napoli to dip into the market as early as January, because pretty much every area of the pitch needs freshening up. Some players are reaching the end of their cycle and they need new blood in defence, midfield, and up front—where Rasmus Højlund can't carry the load all by himself.
Securing McTominay's long-term future with a new contract is also crucial; the club is already working on an agreement, and I expect it will get sorted out. The two sides aren't that far apart.
Juventus made major changes over the summer, bringing several new players, but the season has highlighted some continuing difficulties. Do you think the squad is strong enough to achieve the club's objectives, or are they still missing something?
Juventus did a lot this summer, but perhaps not enough to fully upgrade the squad, largely due to past financial commitments and Financial Fair Play restrictions.
They've agreed a new three-year Settlement Agreement with UEFA; whilst they can still spend, it has to be controlled and strictly aligned with UEFA's parameters. There's definitely room for improvement. Midfield is one area, especially with injuries laying bare the lack of a box-to-box runner who can drive attacks forward—someone like Sarr, who they signed from Tottenham, but they need more players with that profile and turn of pace, as it's currently a very one-paced midfield.
Up front, we'll have to see what the future holds for Woltemade, but regardless of whether he stays, Juve will need to bring in another top-class striker. They also need reinforcements out wide in defence, particularly at left-back. This squad overhaul has only just begun and will need at least another transfer window or two before they're genuinely equipped to fight for the Scudetto.
To be properly competitive in Europe and the UEFA Champions League next year, further investment will be essential.
Similar to Juventus, Milan have gone through massive changes over the summer, bringing in a new manager and saying goodbye to Rafael Leão. During the summer transfer window, they bought several young and talented players like Gila and Moreira, alongside a new striker in Gonçalo Ramos. Despite this, the club has not impressed so far. Where do you think Milan can finish in Serie A, and what does Amorim need in January to build a successful team?
I think Milan actually had a good window, bringing in three strong players. I believe Moreira could be a real dark horse and perform even better than people expect—he could easily end up as a top-three signing in Serie A. Amorim needs time to instil his identity, but I fancy Milan to finish in the top four.
In January, they'll need at least a centre-back to tighten up defensively, given how many goals they've conceded so far. But more than anything, it's about the squad fully absorbing Amorim's ideas rather than splashing out on a load of new players when the winter window opens.
Do you think Lazio can continue their impressive start to the season? Why do you think they have begun 2026/27 so well, and which player has impressed you the most so far?
I think Lazio can keep this up, even if I'm not sure whether they can crack the top four and secure UEFA Champions League football. They're a tough, resilient side that reflects their manager's DNA.
Gattuso is transmitting so much energy to this group, which clearly needed an emotional spark and a boss with real personality. So the credit goes primarily to Gattuso and some shrewd recruitment—not just this summer, but also previously, like signing Taylor from Ajax, who is turning out to be vital to how Lazio tick.
Their standout summer addition has definitely been Frattesi. He had flashes at Inter, where his goals were crucial in helping the Nerazzurri reach the UEFA Champions League final a year and a half ago, but he needed regular minutes and a manager who would guarantee him a starting spot. He's found that in Gattuso and has hit the ground running with goals and standout performances.
Which club do you currently see as Inter’s main challenger?
I see Roma as Inter's primary challengers. They've already had a year working under Gasperini, so they've really absorbed his mentality and style of play. They've also strengthened wisely with additions like Balerdi, Rodrigo Mora, and Molina, whilst managing to keep all their key players over the summer. If they can maintain a high intensity and, crucially, keep Paulo Dybala fit, Roma are the ones best equipped to push Inter all the way.
Are PSG still the team to beat in the UEFA Champions League this season? Which club do you consider their biggest threat, and which outsider could surprise people and go deep in the competition?
Yes, I think PSG are the best-equipped, wealthiest, and deepest side around, playing with an enviable, almost telepathic brand of football. I don't see them losing their hunger or enthusiasm, so they remain favourites—though retaining the UEFA Champions League for a third consecutive year is exceptionally difficult, as we all know.
Barcelona could genuinely go all the way this time, but the team that has impressed me the most, both last season and at the start of this one, and still has room to improve, is Vincent Kompany's Bayern Munich. I fancied them to go all the way last term; they have a distinct tactical blueprint, technical quality, and great depth.
If Jamal Musiala stays 100% fit, Bayern could be the dark horse to lift the trophy—if you can even call them an outsider. And, of course, we mustn't write off Manchester City. Despite everything going on off the pitch, they needed a refresh, and Enzo Maresca is the right man to make them competitive in the UEFA Champions League once again.
Looking at Atalanta's current squad, who do you consider their most valuable player on the transfer market? And how much do you think Atalanta could realistically ask for him?
Atalanta have plenty of high-value assets, from Ederson to De Ketelaere, but the player with the most exponential market growth potential is Marco Carnesecchi. He's already top-tier in Italy, but I think he's on course to become one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.
Right now, he's their most valuable player, both in terms of current ability and future ceiling. Given Atalanta's stubborn negotiating stance—they rarely, if ever, sell anyone for under €50m—Carnesecchi would comfortably command a fee in excess of €50m if they decided to cash in.
The late 90s and early 2000s saw massive spending by Serie A clubs. What was your favourite transfer from that period?
The transfer that stands out the most for me, and the one that truly blew me away in the late '90s and early 2000s, was Ronaldo "Il Fenomeno". Seeing him arrive in Italy from Barcelona back in '97 completely changed the landscape of the transfer market and Italian football.
We hadn't seen a player with that kind of ceiling since the days of Maradona, Platini, and Van Basten. He captured the imagination of everyone—not just Inter fans, but rival supporters and neutrals alike. He will always remain one of the greatest ever to grace Italian football.
Sadly, it's becoming harder and harder to attract players of that calibre, talent, and technical and human potential to Italy these days.
Roma have had an impressive start to the season, and supporters are dreaming of the Scudetto. Do you think Gasperini will be able to bring trophies to Rome, and what do they need to be competitive in both Europe and Serie A?
Yes, I think Roma can be competitive right until the end. I'm not sure if they can win the Scudetto, but they've never looked better placed to fight for it. It will depend heavily on Dybala's fitness and how Roma handle sticky moments, because the environment in Rome lives on a knife-edge.
We'll have to see how the team and manager react to their first defeats and crisis points, and how they cope with juggling European and domestic commitments, as playing in Europe drains energy. I'm not convinced Roma currently have the squad depth to compete simultaneously on both fronts.
Whilst I can see them battling for the Serie A title right to the wire, they aren't ready to do the same in Europe just yet. To become truly competitive in Europe, they'll need further reinforcements—either in January or next summer. But again, Financial Fair Play constraints will loom large.
Cagliari and Frosinone have been the main surprises of the season so far. Do you think major clubs will be interested in any of their players during the January transfer window?
Yes, it's very possible. Cagliari have a player like Romano, who has already made his senior international debut and is bound to attract attention from the Italian giants. Whether Cagliari would be willing to let him go in January having just signed him is another matter, but he'll certainly generate the most enquiries.
Over at Frosinone, Kvernadze is hugely talented, but I'm thinking particularly of Ghedjemis, who was heavily linked with a move in the summer. They managed to keep hold of him, but clubs from Scotland and England will definitely come back in for him because he's a top player.
Another name who will attract bids—though perhaps not in January—is Raimondo. However, he belongs to Bologna; I'm convinced he'll finish the season on loan at Frosinone, and next summer Bologna will decide whether to sell him or bring him back to lead their attack.
Cesc Fabregas has built something special at Como. Do you think his next step will eventually be a return to the Premier League as a manager — and which English club would suit him best?
I don't know if his next step will necessarily be the Premier League, but it will certainly be one of Europe's top five clubs. I just don't see Cesc Fàbregas leaving Como for a club that's merely big rather than elite. I think he'd only walk away from Como if a heavyweight club like Chelsea, Arsenal, or Barcelona came calling.
I wouldn't look at Manchester City since they've just appointed Maresca, but maybe Manchester United, Chelsea if things don't work out with Xabi Alonso, or Barcelona if Flick were to stumble. Either way, he's destined for an elite international job—maybe even Bayern if Kompany runs into difficulties. It's far too early to tell, and I don't think he's fixated on whether it's the Premier League, Bundesliga, or La Liga. It will come down to ambition: joining a project where he can immediately compete for titles and thrive in the UEFA Champions League.
If you were advising Man Utd before facing Como, what would you tell them about Cesc Fabregas' team?
It's always easy to give tactical advice from the sidelines! Frosinone showed that to beat Como, you need to play the perfect game at a relentless intensity. You have to press them for 100 minutes, deny them time to think, and stop them from dominating possession, because otherwise they carve out passing angles and find ways to score from anywhere.
You have to harry them from the first whistle to the last, be at peak physical condition, and utilise your substitutes to ensure there's no breathing space. That's the only way to nip them in the bud.
