Best Serie A Signings of the 2019/20 Season

The standings were finely poised at the Serie A summit before football was suspended, with just a point separating surprise package Lazio from Juventus in top spot.

The cash has been splashed in Italy in the previous two transfer windows, and new arrivals have settled into life in Serie A to varying degrees of success.

Which new signings have really shone in Serie A this season?

Goalkeepers

Emil Audero

Having spent a year on loan at Sampdoria in 2018/19, Audero made his switch from Juventus permanent in the summer, with Sampdoria paying €20m for the goalkeeper.

Despite sitting just a point above the relegation zone, the club could find themselves in a considerably worse predicament were it not for the form of Audero, who has kept seven clean sheets this season. To be a number one in Serie A at the age of just 23 demonstrates just what a talented goalkeeper Sampdoria have on their hands.

Defenders

Konstantinos Manolas

Napoli had endured a difficult start to the season, with manager Carlo Ancelotti replaced with Genaro Gattuso in December. However, a run of four wins in five prior to football's suspension had seen them shoot into the European places.

While the team have been somewhat inconsistent this season, centre back Manolas has been a model of consistency and stability. His composure, strength, pace and intelligence have fully justified the €34m Napoli spent to prise the 28-year-old away from Roma.

Manuel Lazzari

The lightening quick winger turned full back has been exceptional at right wing back for Lazio this season, becoming an integral part of the side that have upset the Serie A narrative thus far.

Lazio signed Lazzari for just €10m plus midfielder Alessandro Murgia from SPAL, and the Italy international has gone on to make 22 Serie A appearances this season, providing a goal and three assists during Lazio's title charge.

Midfielders

Nicolò Barella

The midfielder joined Inter on a season long loan from Cagliari, but with an obligation to buy at the end of the loan spell.

Since his move, Barella has blossomed into one of the best young midfielders in the league. The 23-year-old has chipped in with three goals and six assists in all competitions this season, becoming a regular in the Italian national squad in the process.

Amadou Diawara

Roma's new recruit has quietly but confidently gone about his business since his €20m switch from Napoli. The start of his Roma career was disrupted by a meniscus injury in October, but since making his return, Diawara has made the central midfield role his own.

His aggression, energy and intelligence make the 22-year-old the perfect defensive midfielder. Diawara put in his most impressive performance to date against Genoa in January, making a record 10 interceptions as he expertly protected the back four.

Forwards

Duván Zapata

Having spent a season and a half on loan at Atalanta from Sampdoria, the Champions League quarter finalists exercised their option to buy the forward in January.

Zapata has had a hand in seven goals in five matches since making his switch to Atalanta permanent, taking him to 12 goals in 19 appearances in all competitions this season. The forward has scored 40 goals in 18 months at Atalanta, making the £10m they paid for the 29-year-old an absolute bargain.

Romelu Lukaku

The Belgian striker has recaptured his best form since signing for Inter from Manchester United for €80m in the summer.

Having looked laboured at times towards the latter stages of his Old Trafford career, the 26-year-old has been back to his sharp and powerful best in Italy. Lukaku has hit 17 Serie A goals this season; only Cristiano Ronaldo and Ciro Immobile have found the net more.

Best Loan Signings

Chris Smalling

After being told he was way down the pecking order at Manchester United following the arrival of Harry Maguire - two years after being informed that he was not in the England squad as there were a selection of technically better defenders at Gareth Southgate's disposal - Smalling has successfully gone about proving people wrong at Roma.

The centre half has been ever present at the back for the Italian side this season, and his performances have seen him linked with a number of top Premier League sides once his loan finishes in the summer.

Radja Nainggolan

Nine years after his first loan spell with Cagliari, Naingglolan returned to the Serie A side in the summer on a year long loan from Inter.

It has proved to be a shrewd signing. The 31-year-old has captained the side, and chipped in with five goals and five assists in the league, being named the Serie A player of the month for November.

Dejan Kulusevski

The 19-year-old winger joined Parma on loan from Atalanta in the summer, scoring five goals and contributing seven assists in 23 league appearances.

His impressive performances for Parma caught the eye of Italian giants, Juventus who parted with €35m to bring Kulusevski to the Allianz Stadium.