Ten players who could swap Italy for England in this summer’s transfer window.
10. Angelo Ogbonna (Torino)
The Italian centre-back has earned rave reviews for his performances with Torino this season, and as well as being chased by the bigger teams in Italy, he is said to be a target for Premier League trio Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. The 24-year-old is a solid and competitive defender and a full Italian international, and is set for big things in the game.
9. Mathieu Flamini (AC Milan)
The former Arsenal man has had a difficult time in Italy after joining Milan on a free transfer from the Gunners. The 29-year-old could leave on a free once again, as his contract expires at the end of the season. Arsenal have unsurprisingly been linked with a return for a player who looked to be developing into a top defensive midfielder under Arsene Wenger, but his recent poor form is more likely to see him go to Aston Villa or Southampton, two clubs who are said to be showing an interest in the Frenchman.
8. Adem Ljajic (Fiorentina)
This talented 21-year-old was close to joining Manchester United from former club Partizan Belgrade in 2010, but the Red Devils pulled out of the deal and he moved to Serie A with Fiorentina. Three years later he is regarded as one of the best young players in the Italian league and is being targeted by the likes of Chelsea. The Serbian can play in a variety of attacking positions, either out wide or upfront, and could still make a move to England in the near future.
7. Alvaro Pereira (Inter Milan)
The former Porto left-back is reportedly a target for Tottenham, as manager Andre Villas-Boas worked with Pereira during their time at Porto. The 27-year-old has not been a regular for Inter Milan, and Spurs may pounce as they see him as the best replacement for Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Danny Rose, two left-sided defenders who are expected to be sold this summer. The Portuguese coach also tried to sign the Uruguayan when he was at Chelsea, so he’s clearly a fan and will surely bring him to the Premier League eventually.
6. Hernanes (Lazio)
This talented Brazilian midfielder is supposedly one of Manchester City’s main transfer targets this summer. The 27-year-old has a great reputation in Italy since joining Lazio in 2010, showing himself to be a great playmaker and goal-scoring midfielder, reaching double figures in each of this three seasons with the club. His thunderous shots with his powerful right foot would certainly go down a treat at the Etihad Stadium next season.
5. Claudio Marchisio (Juventus)
Manchester United are said to be keen on Claudio Marchisio as a replacement for the retiring Paul Scholes. The Italian midfielder is a similar type of box-to-box player as Scholes, and has always been a reliable source of goals during his time with Juventus. He is a key player for the Serie A champions, so he won’t come cheap, but United are ready to offer around £30million for his services, and are supposedly keen on his team-mate Arturo Vidal as well.
4. Erik Lamela (Roma)
Tottenham and both Manchester clubs are watching the progress of Roma’s Erik Lamela. The 21-year-old Argentine initially struggled when he moved to Serie A from Argentina’s River Plate, but has hit his best form this season with 15 goals and 4 assists. This young talent can operate as a striker or just behind, and definitely has the ability to add something to both of these Premier League title challengers.
3. Kevin-Prince Boateng (AC Milan)
The German-born Ghana international has had a strange career, but is finally emerging as a top talent in Serie A with AC Milan. The 26-year-old was brought to Tottenham as an exciting prospect in 2007, but failed to make the grade at White Hart Lane. He had a failed loan spell at Borussia Dortmund and then made the move to Portsmouth, where he caught the eye in his single season with the club, helping them reach the FA Cup final. Milan then moved for him and he has slotted in well, and is now thought to be attracting Manchester City and Arsenal, so a return to the Premier League could be on the cards.
2. Stevan Jovetic (Fiorentina)
The talented 23-year-old has been linked strongly with Arsenal all summer, and could complete a move to the Gunners in the coming weeks. Manchester City were also interested in the skillful Montenegro forward, who has caught the eye over the last couple of seasons in Serie A with Fiorentina. Juventus will aim to keep him in Italy with a £25million bid, but La Viola will be keen not to sell to a rival, and should see to it that he joins Arsenal.
1. Edinson Cavani (Napoli)
Serie A’s leading goal scorer is surely set for a summer exit after an impressive few years with Napoli and previously Palermo. Edinson Cavani is wanted by many of Europe’s top clubs, but a move to England seems likely with Manchester City and Chelsea both desperate to secure his signature this summer. He will cost close to £50million, but looks well worth it as he could fire whoever manages to get him to the Premier League title next season. Even Sunderland have been rumoured to have made an audacious bid for him!