Transfer window: What every Serie A club needs in January
Serie A clubs set a new league record during last summer's transfer window, spending more than €700 million on signings. For the first time in years, Italian teams were in the mood - and the financial position - to splash cash.
While January is generally quieter, there's still expected to be some movement on the market.
Here's a breakdown of each club's wants and desires as they approach the halfway mark of the domestic campaign:
Title contenders
Juventus
Although Juventus once again leads the Serie A standings, it's far from a perfect side. Injuries ravaged key parts of the squad in the opening months, leaving manager Massimiliano Allegri with limited senior options in defence and attack.
But it's the midfield that requires reinforcement. The imminent loan signing of Genoa midfielder Tomas Rincon is a resourceful one, though not exactly a difference-maker. Rincon is a physical presence, but the Old Lady needs a midfielder in the mold of Arturo Vidal.
Roma
Scoring goals is no longer Roma's problem. Only Napoli (40) has hit the back of the net more often than the capital club, which can now count on Edin Dzeko's penalty-box instincts.
The absence of Mohamed Salah, however, could prove problematic. The Egyptian will join his countrymen for the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) in January, leaving a hole on the right wing of Roma's attack. The Giallorossi could do worse than signing Manchester United's Memphis Depay - who's decided to find a new club - on loan until the end of the season.
Napoli
An ACL injury to Arkadiusz Milik threatened to derail Napoli's season. Instead, it's come out the other side with a new look - and an even more threatening attack.
Dries Mertens' new life as a false nine has already inspired comparisons to Diego Maradona. Scoring eight goals in his last three matches of the year, the Belgian showed manager Maurizio Sarri he can play anywhere across the front line.
So the Partenopei need not worry about their attack.
The defence could use reinforcement, however, considering how poor Napoli was once Raul Albiol went down with injury. The club will also lose Kalidou Koulibaly to Senegal for AFCON, leaving a sizable gap between the full-backs.
Sights on Europe
Lazio
Not many thought Lazio would have a shot at European football, but here it is in fourth place, within touching distance of a Champions League position.
Keita Balde, who's already set a single-season career high with five league goals, is a big reason for the change in fortune. Unfortunately for Lazio, he's another player who will miss significant time away on international duty at AFCON. That necessitates the signing of a forward in January - ideally someone who can pair up with the equally impressive Ciro Immobile in Inzaghi's 3-5-2 formation.
A move for wantaway Napoli striker Gabbiadini would do the trick.
AC Milan
One of the stories of the season is AC Milan's return to relevance after years of fan protests and insipid performances.
The team is strong down the wings, especially on Suso's right flank, but it's still lacking a midfielder who can recycle possession and give 18-year-old Manuel Locatelli a reprieve from his first senior campaign.
The problem, as always, is money. The Chinese takeover is not yet complete, meaning Milan can only operate on the basis of loan deals. A move for Fiorentina's Milan Badelj is affordable and necessary.
Atalanta
Atalanta's January business all depends on whether it loses any players in the transfer window.
And it's ripe for the picking.
After surging into the top half of the Serie A standings, Atalanta is now at a crossroads. Future Italy internationals Mattia Caldara and Roberto Gagliardini are both central to the project, but also two of Italy's most coveted players. If Juventus or Inter comes calling, offers would be difficult to turn down.
If any players indeed depart, Atalanta will have the money to reinforce its squad. Whether it does will determine its true intentions for the rest of the season.
Inter
Unlike crosstown rival Milan, Inter has already made the transition to Chinese ownership.
Manager Stefano Pioli travelled to the Far East to discuss transfer plans with the Suning group, showing the Nerazzurri are indeed serious about making moves next month.
The aforementioned Gagliardini is a target, and Liverpool's Lucas Leiva could arrive as a midfield reinforcement, but there are needs elsewhere. Beyond Mauro Icardi, this team doesn't have much of a scoring threat. Gabigol is nowhere near the first team, and Eder has just a single Serie A goal to his name.
If Icardi ever suffered a long-term injury, Inter would struggle big time.
A left-back is also a requirement, considering the error-prone Yuto Nagatomo still gets game time. Wolfsburg's Ricardo Rodriguez is the dream signing.
Torino
Torino's not expected to do all that much in January - not unless it sells players first. It was busier in the summer months, signing Iago Falque and Joe Hart on loan, along with Adem Ljajic from Inter.
There are things to address, however. The 3-1 defeat to Juventus showed a lack of composure and class in an otherwise balanced match, as Torino allowed two goals within the last 10 minutes of play.
Luca Rossettini is a capable centre-back, but manager Sinisa Mihajlovic should probably look for an improvement on Leandro Castan. Napoli's Lorenzo Tonelli, who's yet to earn a single minute of Serie A action this season, could cover some of those cracks.
Fiorentina
Paulo Sousa's side has cut a frustrated and inconsistent figure in recent months.
Federico Bernardeschi came to life toward the end of 2016, fuelling gossip of a potential January transfer. Nikola Kalinic's name is also churning in the rumour mill, with Italian reports indicating a mammoth €45-million offer is on the table from Chinese club Tianjin Quanjian. A move to West Ham, which is in dire need of a striker, is another reported option.
Badelj is also a target of Milan, Inter, and Chelsea, and having turned down a contract extension with La Viola, he's looking like a sure bet to leave Stadio Artemio Franchi.
If any of the three depart in January, it would directly inform how Fiorentina approaches the market.
As it is right now, the club could use an upgrade between the pipes. Ciprian Tatarusanu is a middling goalkeeper who makes the odd game-deciding mistake. Rennes' Benoit Costil has fielded links to the Tuscan outfit since the summer, and Fiorentina could revive interest in the soon-to-be free agent this winter.
Middle of the pack
Udinese
Ever the selling club, Udinese isn't expected to sign any players of consequence in the January window. If it does decide to make a swoop, it's more likely to go for an attack-minded teenage talent. The majority of Udinese's moves depend on its vast scouting network.
Chievo
A completely average mid-table side, with 19 goals scored and 20 against, Chievo is as close to the Serie A mean as you can get. The Flying Donkeys hardly spent any money in the summer, relying on free transfers to fill out their squad. But they could stand to find another goal-scorer.
Genoa
Wildly inconsistent - on the ends of both a 4-3 win and loss in December alone - Genoa is a team that needs more stability in midfield. The Grifoni lost one of their starters from the past three years, Tomas Rincon, who isn't easy to replace. In return, they could ask for Juventus' Hernanes, who came close to a transfer to the port city last summer.
Sampdoria
Previous winters were hectic for Sampdoria, which sold stars in each of the past two January windows. Manolo Gabbiadini left for Napoli in 2014 and Eder for Inter in 2015. But sporting director Carlo Osti said he hopes the upcoming month is "quieter than those in the past," and ruled out any sales.
Cagliari
By far the worst defence in Serie A, Cagliari has conceded 42 goals in just 18 matches. Allowing five goals on three different occasions this season, the Sardinia outfit is prone to real drubbings. It's obvious this club needs defensive reinforcements, though it may be hard to find experienced players in the position. A move for Milan's Rodrigo Ely would do.
Bologna
Bologna needs goals. Averaging just a single tally per match, it's even worse off without leading scorer Simone Verdi, who's nearing a recovery from an ankle injury. In any case, Bologna needs a scorer to help Verdi and Mattia Destro, and Atletico Madrid's Alessio Cerci is expected be that man.
Relegation battlers
Sassuolo
Sassuolo is seven points out of the drop zone, but recent form suggests a downturn. Losing its last four matches of 2016, the Emilia-Romagna side is looking vulnerable at the back. The loss of Francesco Magnanelli and Domenico Berardi to long-term injuries has had an obvious effect, and if Leicester City acts on reported interest in centre-back Francesco Acerbi, Sassuolo will have an even bigger hole to fill.
Empoli
Empoli is the lowest-scoring side in the Italian top flight with 10 goals. Though Levan Mchedlidze emerged as a source of goals in the club's past two matches, there's no telling whether he'll keep up his form in 2017. Empoli could try to poach a striker from Serie B, or sign a journeyman like Goran Pandev.
Palermo
With just a single point earned at home this season, Palermo is a mess. Scoring seven goals to date, striker Ilija Nestorovski has done his best to compensate for his team's permeable defence. There's just no safety at the back, even though Palermo plays with a back three. The club has struggled since selling Ezequiel Munoz in 2015, and has yet to find a true replacement.
Crotone
Much like Empoli, Crotone is in dire need of striker support. Diego Falcinelli has scored some big goals that won the Calabrese vital points in their chase for survival, but it's not enough.
Pescara
Poor Pescara. With the worst goal differential in the league at minus-19, it needs help everywhere.