Italian clubs summer transfer activity (2026)

The 2026 Italian summer window has remained active across all levels. In late July, lower‑division clubs used preseason friendlies to test new squads: Serie B side Modena beat Virtus Bolzano 5‑0 under new coach Daniele Galloppa, while Juve Stabia, Mantova, Benevento, Atalanta U23 and Ospitaletto recorded convincing wins that highlighted the integration of recent signings and younger players. On 7 July, Serie C clubs publicly unveiled extensive transfer lists, confirming a broad wave of arrivals that builds on the earlier flurry of moves. The market momentum continued into August in Serie A, where Udinese added Bravo (Bayer Leverkusen) and Sánchez (Inter) and saw Walace depart for Cruzeiro; Hellas Verona signed Kastanos (Salernitana) and transferred Cabal to Juventus; Venezia and Cittadella also announced multiple ins and outs, including Masciangelo from Benevento. A notable stalled negotiation involved Palermo’s pursuit of striker Stefano Moreo, which collapsed after the player withdrew despite a contract offer.

A parallel trend emerged as clubs turned to long‑term youth development. Levante announced a youth‑centric strategy, signing prospects such as Carlos Espí and Yanis Musuayi with high release clauses, while extending contracts for academy graduates through 2028. In Serie A, Como set a record by spending roughly €142 million on under‑20 players since the 2024/25 season, far outpacing rivals. Inter’s youth outlay remained below €30 million, whereas Juventus and Atalanta each invested about €61 million. Napoli allocated only €11.4 million to under‑21 talent, reflecting a cautious approach. These figures underscore a broader shift toward sustainable squad building through early‑career acquisitions and strong contract terms.

Across the hierarchy, Italian clubs are actively reshaping rosters, balancing successful signings with aborted deals and an increasing emphasis on youth talent as they prepare for the 2024‑25 and subsequent campaigns.