Torino, Sampdoria, Genoa, Bologna and Sassuolo are being bracketed among those sides with bright prospects for a trouble-free mid-table spot when the 2016/17 Serie A gets underway later this month.
In July, Giampiero Ventura was unveiled as Antonio Conte’s successor in charge of the national team.
Ventura’s departure from Torino, after five consecutive seasons, probably represents the biggest change this summer for the club from the north.
Hardman Sinisa Mihajlovic, sacked by Milan last season, is their new coach.
Mihajlovic has already made his presence felt as he made it clear that Ventura’s 3-5-2 module will be abolished in favour of a more attack-minded 4-3-3.
Torino signings Adem Ljajic and Iago Falque (both ex-Roma) will partner hot shot Andrea Belotti in a three-man attack. Team captain Kamil Glik left for Monaco this summer in a deal worth around €10 million.
Utility player Alessandro Gazzi joined Palermo earlier this week whereas injury prone Alexander Farnerud was given a free release. Veteran players Cesare Bovo and Giuseppe Vives are expected to part company with Torino in the off-season.
Arlind Ajeti (free agent) and Sasa Lukic (Partizan Belgrade), along with a host of promising players, including goalkeeper Alfred Gomis, Antonio Barreca, Mattia Aramu and Vittorio Parigini, all promoted from the youth sector, represent Torino’s other additions so far.
But, it seems that Torino have some unfinished business in this transfer window as wing-back Bruno Peres is currently being linked with a move to either Arsenal or Roma.
However, they are reported to be unwilling to part company with central defender Nikola Maksimovic as Mihajlovic hopes that he will inspire his new team to a better placing that last season’s 12th.
Sassuolo did very well in 2015-16.
Indeed, Eusebio Di Francesco’s side are an example to follow for many clubs. The Neroverdi, who made their Serie A debut three years ago, have gradually improved year after year without breaking the bank while keeping the squad competitive.
Last season, Sassuolo went on to finish in a creditable sixth place, ahead of the more-quoted Milan who had splashed €90 million on new signings the previous summer.
Sassuolo are looking to make it into the group stages of the Europa League as they have remained practically unchanged bar right-back Sime Vrsaljko who joined La Liga club Atletico Madrid.
Roberto Donadoni is still the man in charge at Bologna. The former Italy national team coach transformed the fortunes of the side single-handedly since replacing Delio Rossi in autumn last year.
This summer, Bologna could lose the services of key midfielder Amadou Diawara, who is being linked with a €15 million transfer to either Roma or Napoli.
Federico Viviani (Verona), Blerim Dzemaili (Galatasaray), Assane Gnoukouri (Inter) and Riccardo Saponara (Empoli) are all being mentioned with a move to Bologna as the Felsinei, unlike last term, will try to start the season on a better footing.
Marassi rivals
City rivals Sampdoria and Genoa start the new Serie A season afresh.
Sampdoria are now under the charge of coach Marco Giampaolo after Vincenzo Montella left to take over at Milan.
This summer, Ivan Juric joined Genoa from Serie A newcomers Crotone.
Roberto Soriano has recently left Sampdoria to join Spanish outfit Villareal. So far, Samp’s main signings were Filip Djuricic (Benfica) and Luca Cigarini (Atalanta).
Genoa have lost the services of Argentine defender Cristian Ansaldi (Inter) and French defender Sebastian De Maio (Anderlecht).
Prolific striker Leonardo Pavoletti, scorer of 14 goals in 25 appearances, could be on his way to Milan should the Rossoneri part company with Carlos Bacca.
Juric, however, said it is a must for Genoa to hold on to defensive midfielder Tomas Rincon to keep stability in the team.