They nearly joined Serie A this summer: how the failed deals are faring

Analysis of Serie A clubs' failed summer transfer targets and how they're performing elsewhere this season.

Italian Serie A's biggest clubs pursued several players over the summer who ended up signing elsewhere — some deals collapsed at medical checks, others fell through due to late timing or competing bids. The article reviews how these players are faring now.

Palestra, targeted by Inter but rejected at medical, joined Crystal Palace for €24.5m and has struggled for minutes at Chelsea despite initial promise. Summerville, pursued by Inter, moved to Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal. Sorloth, Juventus's target, is being assessed on his goal tally.

Leweling, who nearly joined Roma on deadline day but the deal fell through for lack of time, stayed at Stuttgart and has shown recent form with a goal and assist. Gittens, another Roma target blocked by Gasperini, has barely featured at Chelsea with just two cup appearances and an injury since October.

The piece examines whether Serie A's top seven clubs made the right call switching to alternative targets, and flags potential January returns of interest for players like Gittens and Leweling, who Roma may revisit.