Top 5 signings of Serie A so far in 2018/19

Halfway through the season and Juventus may have killed the Serie A. Yet to taste defeat in 18 games, they have collected 50 points, nine more than Napoli in second place.

Just like Paris Saint-Germain in Ligue 1, Juventus are just too strong for every other side in Serie A. For now, there is nothing standing between Juventus and an eight consecutive Scudetto.

Notwithstanding, several clubs have bolstered their squads this summer and the race for the next three spots are still up for grabs. There has been much more to the Serie A transfer market than Cristiano Ronaldo's move to Juventus.

Going into the winter break, here are the top five signings so far this season on the basis of their price tag and performances.

#5. Joaquin Correa (SS Lazio)

Joaquin Correa

After the transfer of Felipe Anderson to West Ham, Lazio was linked to Correa.

Signed for €16m, the question was, "Can Joaquin Correa replace Anderson at Lazio?"

Lazio sit at fourth in the table and Correa has been prominent so far with three goals to his name. He's also a good dribbler of the ball, similar to Anderson, but he has better hold up play going forward, something which Anderson lacked.

Correa is two years younger than Anderson and, at just 23, he is definitely one for both the present and the future. He has been an apt replacement for the Brazilian so far.

#4. Stefan De Vrij (Inter Milan)

Stefan De Vrij

Inter have made a number of signings this summer. But one that tops the list is De Vrij, who was signed from rivals Lazio on a free transfer. The pairing of De Vrij and Skriniar has been pretty solid this season, conceding 14 goals in 18 games.

With Mauro Icardi racking up the goals up front, Inter have been resilient at the back with De Vrij being at the centre of it all.

#3. Alban Lafont (ACF Fiorentina)

Lafont playing against Empoli in a Serie A match

Lafont is the youngest ever goalkeeper to play in the Ligue 1 when he made his debut for Toulouse at the age of 16. A summer move to Fiorentina for €7m represented the next stage for the wonderkid. He's now at a club with more defensive stability than Toulouse, who have been on the decline in recent years, which made it harder to assess his true talent level.

Fiorentina boast the best defense in the league after the top three. At 19, Lafont makes quality decisions and has a good positional sense. He has a great career ahead of him and can see himself as the future of French goalkeeping.

#2. Cristiano Ronaldo (Juventus)

Cristiano Ronaldo's 'Deal of the century' move to Juventus has been the highlight of the Serie A.

Well, isn't this a surprise. Most people would have expected the Portuguese to be at the top of the list, but a certain striker in Genoa will be taking the honors due to his low price tag and impressive performances.

That does not mean you can take anything away from CR7.

Signed for a deal worth €105m, the Italian press hailed Ronaldo's transfer as the "Deal of the century". After a slow start to the season, he is the top scorer of the league with 13 goals in 18 games.

But Ronaldo has not been signed to win the Serie A. He has been bought to win the Champions League title and his performances in Europe will decide whether he is the best signing for Juventus or not. If he does deliver, he won't be just the best signing in Italy, but the best signing in Europe.

#1. Krzysztof Piatek (Genoa C.F.C)

Virtually unknown Krzysztof Piatek is in contention for the Golden Boot.

Signed for a reported fee of €4m, little has been heard of the Polish striker. But he has lit up the Serie A so far with 13 goals in 18 games and is in the running for the Golden Boot halfway into the season.

Genoa have scored 25 goals in 18 games with Piatek scoring 13 of them, which just shows the influence of the 23-year-old. Definitely, Piatek is one of the bargains of this season and it won't be long till the big clubs come calling.