Analyzing Empoli’s Summer Transfer Market Ahead of Serie A Opener Against Lazio

Newly-promoted Empoli will host Lazio at the Stadio Castellani on August 21 in their 2021/22 Serie A season opener.

While the transfer market remains wide open for another few weeks, Empoli expert Jake Mills was able to provide a breakdown of the club’s business thus far.


Empoli 15/08/2021 – Coppa Italia / Empoli-Vicenza / foto Image nella foto: Patrick Cutrone PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA

Empoli‘s high-profile signing this summer was Italian striker Patrick Cutrone, who was signed on loan from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Since bursting on the scene at AC Milan, he has had disappointing spells at Wolves, Fiorentina and Valencia, but the Azzurri will be hoping he can rediscover his goal-scoring form at the Stadio Castellani.

Empoli 31/07/2021 – amichevole / Empoli-Montecatini / foto Image nella foto: Guglielmo Vicario PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA

Elsewhere, signing goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario on loan from Cagliari was a shrewd signing, as he looked impressive when deputing for Alessio Cragno in Serie A last season. In addition re-signing Liam Henderson from Lecce, who was one of the most impressive midfielders in Serie B, was another bold move from the club.

Empoli 15/08/2021 – Coppa Italia / Empoli-Vicenza / foto Image nella foto: Peter Stojanovic PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA

Finally, the Azzurri strengthened their defence with the signings of Petar Stojanovic (on loan from Dinamo Zagreb), Ardian Ismajli from Spezia, Riccardo Marchizza (on loan from Sassuolo) and Sebastiano Luperto (on loan from Napoli).


Empoli 15/08/2021 – Coppa Italia / Empoli-Vicenza / foto Image nella foto: Nedim Bajrami PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA

Concerning departures, Empoli’s most impressive feat this transfer window is the fact that they have managed to hold on to their best players. The likes of talented youngsters Samuele Ricci, Fabiano Parisi, and Nedim Bajrami have all been linked to bigger clubs, but they have stayed put so far.

Empoli 10/05/2021 – campionato di calcio serie B / Empoli-Lecce / foto Image nella foto: Stefano Sabelli PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxITA

The only transfers of note out of the club have been Stefano Sabelli to Genoa and Dimitrios Nikolaou to Spezia. Ryder Matos (Udinese) and Nicolo Casale (Hellas Verona) were both on loan at Empoli last season and performed well, but have since remained at their parent clubs.

Alessio Dionisi coach of US Sassuololooks on during the pre season friendly football match between SS Lazio and US Sassuolo at Benito Stirpe stadium in Frosinone Italy, August 14th, 2021. Photo Andrea Staccioli / Insidefoto andreaxstaccioli

The most notable exit was that of manager Alessio Dionisi, who moved to Sassuolo. Dionisi transformed Empoli in his first season at the club, playing an attacking and exciting style that allowed them to win Serie B at a canter. It will be interesting to see how returning manager Aurelio Andreazzoli will approach the squad this season.

Tags Alessio Dionisi Andreazzoli Ardian Ismajli Aurelio Andreazzoli Bajrami Cutrone Dionisi Empoli Empoli vs Lazio Fabiano Parisi Guglielmo Vicario Henderson Ismajli Lazio Lazio vs Empoli Liam Henderson Luperto Marchizza Nedim Bajrami Parisi Patrick Cutrone Petar Stojanovic Riccardo Marchizza Ricci Samuele Ricci Sebastiano Luperto Serie A Serie B Stadio Castellani Stojanovic Vicario