Christmas gifts for top Serie A teams: AS Roma to get the striker they need?

With Italy’s Serie A returning for the weekend after the Christmas break, it’s almost time to head into the 2026 winter transfer window. Most of Italy’s top clubs will likely explore options in the upcoming transfer window, especially since it’s usually difficult to find good opportunities in January. AC Milan have already found a new striker, while Juventus need to find a solution for their striker in the new year, and Inter will be looking for a new right winger given Denzel Dumfries’ injury and contract situation. Let’s take a look at five Christmas presents for five Serie A teams:

AC Milan: The first signing of the window

AC Milan needed a striker as quickly as possible and the Rossoneri have already signed Niclas Füllkrug from West Ham, with the German player eligible to play in the match against Cagliari on January 2. Füllkrug joined the Rossoneri on loan with a $12 million purchase option included in the deal, adding depth to the offensive unit coached by Massimiliano Allegri, which has been deeply affected by injuries in recent months. USMNT star Christian Pulisic, Rafael Leao and Santiago Giménez have all had fitness issues, with the Mexican striker in particular undergoing surgery in recent weeks and potentially leaving the club during the winter transfer window. AC Milan needed a central striker given that Allegri currently plays with two strikers, Pulisic and Leao alternating with Christopher Nkunku, who joined AC Milan this summer from Chelsea, and Füllkrug was the first and only option explored by the Italian club.

AS Roma: Joshua Zirkzee back in Italy?

While AC Milan signed a new striker before Christmas, AS Roma are also moving forward with negotiations to sign Manchester United striker Joshua Zirkzee on loan until the end of the 2025-26 season, according to reports. Giallorossi manager Gian Piero Gasperini has expressed concerns after last weekend’s defeat to Juventus regarding his attacking options, as Evan Ferguson and Artem Dovbyk are not performing as he hoped and need a new striker to play alongside Paulo Dybala and Matias Soule. AS Roma, despite a promising start to the season under the direction of its new coach, showed offensive difficulties. They currently have the best defense in Serie A but also share the worst offensive record among the top 10 teams alongside Lazio with 17 goals scored in 16 matches. This is why they need to improve their attacking options.

Inter: A new right winger

Meanwhile, Inter need a new right winger in 2026. This is why the future of Dutch winger Denzel Dumfries is more than doubtful. Dumfries has a $25 million release clause valid this summer and several European clubs are expected to try to trigger it after the 2026 World Cup, where he is expected to be one of the stars with the Netherlands. For this reason, Dumfries recently decided to change his agent, a move which often means he is looking for either a new contract or a new club. On top of that, he is currently injured and having undergone ankle surgery in London, and he will be out for at least two more months. In his absence, Luis Henrique, Carlos Augusto and occasionally Andy Diouf will be responsible for filling this role. For this reason, if a good opportunity presents itself, Inter will probably look for a new recruit in this position.

Fiorentina: Happy with what you have

If there’s one team to watch in the coming weeks, it’s Fiorentina. The Viola find themselves in an unprecedented and difficult situation since they are at the bottom of the Serie A standings with nine points and only one victory in 16 matches. They are at serious risk of relegation and have already replaced the manager, with Paolo Vanoli replacing Stefano Pioli earlier this season. This situation may lead to some players leaving during the winter transfer window, but Fiorentina need them to stay to avoid relegation. That’s why the best Christmas present for Fiorentina would be to keep all the best players at least until the summer.

Juventus: A new contract for Vlahovic

Last but not least, Juventus need to resolve the situation regarding their main striker in 2026. Dusan Vlahovic will be out of contract this summer and there is now an increasing chance of seeing him leave as a free agent in 2026 unless something changes before then. Juventus struggled to find a solution last summer, failing to sell him or reach an agreement on a new contract. There is no more time to waste; It’s something they need to take care of as quickly as possible, with the striker averaging 16.3 goals per season over the last three campaigns.