The returning players to watch
The transfer market is not just about new signings and departures. Every summer, clubs welcome back players returning from loan spells or seasons spent away from Serie A, all looking to convince their coaches and earn a place in the rotation. Some return with far more experience than they had twelve months ago, others are hoping for a second chance after a difficult campaign, while some may yet be on the move again.
Inter, Juventus, AC Milan and Napoli are among the clubs most affected, while Torino are also keeping a close eye on the development of one of the most exciting young Italian talents from last season's Serie B.
Here are the players who could turn their return into a genuine opportunity.
Juventus, Douglas Luiz looking to relaunch himself
At Continassa, much of the attention is focused on Douglas Luiz and Nico González, two major investments from summer 2024 who sought regular playing time elsewhere after just one season with the Bianconeri.
The Brazilian currently appears to have the better chance of convincing Luciano Spalletti. After spells with Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa, where he made a combined 34 appearances without rediscovering the form of his best seasons, Douglas Luiz has used pre-season to stake his claim. He started every friendly alongside Manuel Locatelli, gradually improving his intensity and fitness levels before producing an excellent display against Chelsea. Juventus continue to assess the market for midfield reinforcements, but the 1998-born midfielder is making a strong case for a second chance.
The situation is different for Nico González. The Argentinian returns from the World Cup with the Albiceleste, a campaign that culminated in him starting the final against Spain, and will therefore join the Bianconeri's preparations later than his teammates. His season at Atlético Madrid ended with five goals in 37 appearances, very similar numbers to his only campaign with Juventus, when he scored five times in 40 matches. It will be up to Spalletti to decide whether to give him another opportunity or whether his future once again lies away from Turin.
Inter, another Stanković returns
Among the new faces in Cristian Chivu's squad is one whose name inevitably brings back memories for Nerazzurri fans at Appiano Gentile. Aleksandar Stanković returns to Inter 13 years after his father Dejan made his final appearance for the Club, but with an impressive journey of his own already behind him.
Born in Milan in 2005 and developed entirely in the Inter Academy, Aleksandar progressed through every level of the Nerazzurri’s youth system, spending part of that journey alongside Pio Esposito under Cristian Chivu. Naturally a holding midfielder, but also capable of playing centrally in a back three when required, his main strengths are his reading of the game, ability to win back possession and quality in distributing the ball, while he also possesses an excellent long-range shot.
His experiences abroad accelerated his development. After 40 appearances and three goals for Luzern, his move to Club Brugge saw him establish himself on the international stage as well: 54 appearances and nine goals, including three in the UEFA Champions League, as he played a leading role in their Belgian league title triumph. His performance against Marseille on the final matchday of the Champions League league phase was particularly memorable, as he finished with a goal, two assists and the Player of the Match award. In the meantime, he also earned his first senior Serbia call-ups and has already made eight appearances and scored once, sharing the June camp with his brother Filip, Venezia's goalkeeper.
Pre-season has further demonstrated Chivu's faith in his qualities. He was among Inter's best performers in the friendly against Manchester City, showing personality both when winning back possession and in the build-up. He begins the season behind Çalhanoğlu in the pecking order, but his age, attributes and personality make him one of the players around whom Inter could build their future midfield.
Alongside him is a more experienced returnee. Benjamin Pavard ended his spell at Olympique Marseille with 37 appearances, one goal and two assists and, should he remain in Milan, will represent a top-level option for Chivu's defence. After making 70 appearances and winning the Scudetto during his first two seasons at Inter, the Frenchman already knows the environment inside out and has regularly been deployed on the right of the back three this summer.
AC Milan, Camarda and Chukwueze start again under Amorim
One of the most eagerly awaited returns is that of Francesco Camarda. The 2008-born forward is back at Milanello after a difficult season with Lecce, cut short by a serious shoulder injury that sidelined him for almost the entire second half of the campaign. Before the setback, however, he had already achieved an important career milestone by scoring his first Serie A goal.
AC Milan continue to believe in his talent, and Rúben Amorim is considering keeping him with the first team as the first alternative to Gonçalo Ramos. The signs from pre-season have been encouraging: his brace against Celtic and the understanding he has shown with Samuel Chukwueze suggest the young striker could carve out a role for himself at senior level.
Chukwueze himself appears to be one of the players the new Portuguese coach is keen to work with. After a positive season at Fulham, where he registered three goals and four assists in 23 Premier League appearances, the Nigerian returned to Milanello with a skill set that could prove particularly well suited to Amorim's football. His acceleration, dribbling and ability to create an advantage in one-v-one situations are qualities the coach will hope to maximise and perhaps help him rediscover the form he showed during his best years at Villarreal.
During pre-season, Amorim has mainly used him as a right wing-back in his 3-4-2-1, a solution that could see Saelemaekers switch to the opposite flank. Chukwueze could also feature further forward as one of the two attacking midfielders behind the striker, a particularly valuable alternative given Christian Pulisic's lengthy injury absence.
The futures of the other returning players, from Yunus Musah to youngsters Christian Comotto and Alphadjo Cissé, remain more uncertain.
Napoli, an opportunity for Lang and Lucca
At Napoli, Massimiliano Allegri welcomes back two forwards looking to revive their fortunes: Noa Lang and Lorenzo Lucca.
Noa Lang left Napoli for Galatasaray in January 2026 after struggling for playing time under Antonio Conte. His spell in Türkiye did not produce the desired results: just two goals, both in the UEFA Champions League, and the Istanbul club opted not to make his move permanent.
It is a different story for Lorenzo Lucca. A physically imposing striker who has already scored 21 Serie A goals, he fits the profile of forward Allegri traditionally favours. After a difficult first half of the season with Napoli and an underwhelming second half at Nottingham Forest, the striker has shown encouraging signs during pre-season, scoring immediately in the friendly against Osasuna. His physical attributes and ability to play with his back to goal could make him the ideal understudy to Højlund.
Torino, the promise of Cacciamani
Another of the summer's most intriguing returnees is Alessio Cacciamani. The 2007-born player enjoyed his breakthrough season at Juve Stabia, where Ignazio Abate converted him from an attacking wide player into a wing-back, recognising the potential in his driving runs and athleticism.
The result was an outstanding campaign: 33 appearances, two goals, two assists and a key role in the Campanian side's impressive run to the Serie B play-offs. His performances also earned him a first call-up to Silvio Baldini's Italy squad for the friendly against Greece on 7 June.
Cacciamani now returns to Torino, where he is reunited with Abate, who has since become the Granata's new head coach. Their existing relationship and his familiarity with the system could help him settle quickly and give him the opportunity to continue his development in Serie A.