From Pisa’s midfield hunt to Verona’s attacking reshuffle and Lecce’s early strike, smaller clubs look to gain an edge in January
While the spotlight often shines on the giants, Serie A’s January window is quietly heating up for clubs fighting for survival and stability. Pisa, Verona, and Lecce are all active on different fronts, chasing young profiles and immediate reinforcements to strengthen their squads.
Pisa target Tsawa to power the midfield
Pisa are working on more than just their attack. Sporting director Davide Vaira and CEO Giovanni Corrado are searching for added quality in midfield, particularly a dynamic, box-to-box profile.
The main target is Cheveyo Tsawa, a Switzerland U21 international currently at FC Zurich. Negotiations have been ongoing for days: Pisa initially believed the deal could be closed for around €4 million plus bonuses, but Zurich are holding firm at a €5 million valuation.
Adding complexity is competition from Club Brugge, who are also monitoring Tsawa. Despite this, Pisa remain cautiously optimistic.
Up front, the club have already secured Rafiu Durosinmi, although bureaucratic delays mean he will not be available for the upcoming trip to Udine due to the pending international transfer clearance.
Verona invest in youth, Baldanzi still a dream
Hellas Verona are also reshaping their attacking department. The club continue to push for Tommaso Baldanzi, though competition from Fiorentina makes the operation far from straightforward.
In the meantime, Verona have secured a fresh attacking option. Brazilian forward Isaac arrived in Italy on Wednesday and is expected to be officially announced in the coming hours. A signing aimed at injecting pace and unpredictability into the frontline as Verona look to climb away from danger.
Lecce strike first with Gandelman
Lecce have wasted no time in January. Their first deal of the year is effectively done: Omri Gandelman, a 25-year-old attacking midfielder from Gent, is set to undergo medicals today.
The operation is structured as a loan with an obligation to buy, worth approximately €4.5 million—a significant investment by Lecce standards.
The Salentini are not stopping there. Talks are also progressing for Sadik Fofana, a more defensively minded midfielder currently playing in Austria with Grazer AK. Contacts are advanced as Lecce seek balance and depth in the middle of the pitch.
January chess among the strugglers
Pisa, Verona, and Lecce are all playing their own version of January chess—targeting young, moldable players who can deliver both immediate impact and future value. With margins razor-thin at the bottom of the table, these moves could prove decisive in the months ahead.
