Serie A has seen a resurgence in recent years. Since Juventus' era of dominance ended, Napoli, AC Milan, and Inter have each had their time at the top, while Atalanta, Fiorentina, Lazio, and Roma have enjoyed spells of European success.
Italian football has evolved dramatically over the past decade, moving away from the stereotypical defensive 1–0s, toward a style marked by flair, power, and attacking build-up.
Beto has shown signs of adapting since his move from Udinese, and Jesper Lindstrøm (despite an injury-hit loan spell at Napoli) has hinted at his potential. Past transfers from Italy haven’t always gone to plan, though. Moise Kean, Allan, and Andy van der Meyde spring to mind, but there’s always Alessandro Pistone, one of the rare bright links between Serie A and the blue half of Merseyside.
As Everton prepare to reshape their squad ahead of a move to their new home, the Hill Dickinson Stadium, here are four ambitious Serie A signings who could usher in a bold new era.
Lewis Ferguson
The Bologna Coppa Italia winner has shone ever since he made the move to Italy, winning Serie A Player of the Season in the last campaign, and has now earned captain status for the Rossoblu. The dynamic midfielder has the ability to play deeper or further forward with ball-winning skills and high pressing, fitting perfectly into David Moyes' summer midfield rebuild.
This is considered unlikely given his importance to Bologna, and the club will likely command a high transfer fee to prize him away from the land of good food and wine.
Maybe if a rebuild wasn’t on the agenda, then this could be Everton’s main signing, however, the priority to bring in at least three midfielders will likely hamper any activity in the summer..
Mario Pasalic
The Croatian central midfielder’s contract is set to expire this summer, with no renewal imminent at Atalanta, presenting a potential low-cost upgrade on the current one. Despite not making a senior appearance during his time at Chelsea, he’s familiar with the Premier League environment and may view a return to England’s top flight as a chance for redemption.
His arrival would add real quality and depth to the midfield ranks, a significant goal threat by arriving late into the box, and an eye for scoring goals while controlling the pace within the middle of the park.
The absence of European football could make Everton a less appealing option for Pašalić, especially with expected interest from clubs in Italy and Germany. However, David Moyes may be keen to pursue the Croatian, given his strong performances in Serie A and European competitions over the past three seasons.
With the departure of Abdoulaye Doucouré and the possibility of further midfield exits, Pašalić would bring much-needed quality and experience to the squad.
Albert Gudmundsson
There had been reports suggesting that the Icelandic attacker already agreed a move to Everton, but no official confirmation has followed in the weeks since. Currently on loan at Fiorentina from Genoa, the 27-year-old has scored six goals and registered one assist this season.
Another versatile option who can operate as a No. 10 or out wide, he would undoubtedly add quality competition in those areas, with the potential to outperform the likes of Iliman Ndiaye or Dwight McNeil in terms of end product.
His loan deal reportedly includes a £14 million purchase option, which Fiorentina is expected to trigger once he meets certain performance-related targets. However, a potential obstacle to any move elsewhere is Fiorentina’s strong interest in securing him permanently, especially given their recent run to the Europa Conference League semi-finals.
Koni de Winter
Another Genoa player linked with Everton following the winter transfer window is the versatile Belgian defender, capable of playing both full-back and centre-back. He could be a suitable replacement for the departing Michael Keane, as well as a potential successor should Jarrad Branthwaite leave.
Quick, physically strong, and a confident passer, he appears well-suited to Moyes’ style of play. However, the Scottish manager may be cautious about a known vulnerability when defending crosses.
With competition from Inter Milan and a reported bid from Europa League winners Tottenham, Everton are likely to find themselves at the back of the queue. Securing the player’s signature will require significant persuasion and a truly compelling project if he’s to be unveiled at Hill Dickinson next season.
Other notable names who could be tempted to swap Italian culture for the delights of Merseyside include Luka Jović, Tammy Abraham, Marash Kumbulla, Nico González, and Pierre Kalulu. Any of these signings would represent a significant upgrade to the squad and could help turn Everton’s European ambitions into reality.