Over the course of the summer transfer window, we will take a close look at some of the biggest and best business with our ‘Transfer of the Week’ columns. In this edition, we will focus on one of the busiest clubs in the window so far.
By Neel Shelat
Having won their first promotion to Serie A in over two decades and returned to the top flight for the first time since their bankruptcy issues, Como are already making waves. No longer restricted by finances with the backing of the richest club owners in Italy, they have been the most active club in the summer transfer window not just in Serie A but across all of Europe’s big five leagues. With 11 signings announced already, they have overhauled nearly half of their squad, and in all likelihood, the majority of Cesc Fàbregas’ first-choice XI.
The fresh faces in Como’s squad include all sorts of players at various stages in their careers filling almost every position on the pitch. Let us briefly run through the lot of them.
Goalkeepers
Como have added a couple of experienced goalkeepers to their ranks after selling last season’s first-choice starter Adrian Šemper to Pisa. His replacement will likely be Emil Audero, a man with six full seasons’ worth of Serie A experience under his belt. He spent the first five of those as Sampdoria’s chief shot-stopper, before joining champions Inter on loan last season as a backup option.
At 27 years old, Audero is in the peak of his career and should want to be a number one. Sampdoria have pocketed a handy €6 million transfer fee in this deal, so it makes sense for all involved.
Como have also signed 41-year-old Pepe Reina on a free transfer after the end of his contract at Villarreal. The former Liverpool keeper will most likely be a backup option, but his experience should prove valuable for his peers to learn from.
Defenders
The highest transfer fee Como have paid in this window so far has brought them a defender, namely Alberto Dossena, who cost €8 million from Cagliari. That should be money well spent as the 25-year-old centre-back is battle-hardened having risen through the tiers in Italian football to reach Serie A last season.
Although his side conceded as many as 68 goals, Dossena gave a good account of himself as a very strong defender, winning nearly 65% of his duels at an average of 7.76 per 90. He also served as a handy long passer and posed a noteworthy attacking threat from set-pieces.
Como’s biggest signing, though, has to be that of Raphaël Varane. Joining from Manchester United on a free transfer after a so-so season littered with injury issues, he will hope to stay fully fit and lead his new side’s defence throughout the Serie A season. At 31 years old, he should be able to stay at a top-five league level for a few more years in theory at least.
I Lariani have also added an experienced left back to their squad in Alberto Moreno, who has also left Villarreal on a free transfer. He started about half of his side’s matches in LaLiga last season, still showing some attacking threat with his overlapping runs. At 32 years old, he could yet have a couple of good seasons in Serie A.
Como may well not be done with their defensive signings, as they are being strongly linked with FC København’s Kevin Diks. The 27-year-old Dutchman is capable of playing anywhere across the back line, so he would be a great addition to any squad.
Midfielders
Como have also spent a good deal of money in midfield, paying Fortuna Düsseldorf €8 million to sign Yannik Engelhardt. The 23-year-old defensive midfielder established himself as a solid figure at the base of midfield for the 2. Bundesliga promotion hopefuls, winning nearly 6 duels per 90 to go with 2.7 tackles and interceptions.
Supporting him should be Luca Mazzitelli, who has joined on loan with an obligation to buy from Frosinone. He did a good job as a box-to-box midfielder in Serie A last season, so Como will hope to see more of the same for years to come.
At the end of his loan from Austria Wien, Como exercised their option to buy Matthias Braunöder. The 22-year-old midfielder joined this January and played almost 900 minutes in Serie B, showing promising signs with his passing. For €1.5 million, he could well turn out to be a good signing.
Another youngster joining Como’s ranks for 2024/25 will be Peter Kováčik, who is also 22 years old. They struck a deal to sign him in February but let him complete the season with Slovak side Železiarne Podbrezová. He notched up 6 goals and 10 assists in the league last season from the right of midfield or as a wing-back, so it will be interesting to see how he fits into Fàbregas’ side.
Forwards
Arguably the most interesting signing Como have made this summer has been Ali Jasim. The 20-year-old winger joins straight from the Iraq Stars League, which he lit up last season on loan at Al Quwa Al Jawiya from Al Kahrabaa. The jump from domestic football in Iraq to Serie A is a massive one, but Jasim’s performances as a lively winger in the AFC Champions League as well as for his senior and under-23 national teams suggest that there is good reason to be excited about this move.
Finally, a much more experienced arrival in attack was Andrea Belotti. The 30-year-old Italian forward with the famous Rooster nickname has a great deal of Serie A experience under his belt and works hard as a target striker, but he has struggled for goals in recent seasons. Como will want to see that change in 2024/25.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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