Every year players leave clubs for new pastures, every transfer window features footballers eager to prove themselves at a club they believe will herald further success.
Forza Italian Football have put together a list of five players who deserve a move away and in no particular order – here they are:
1. Mauro Icardi
The Argentinian striker has been the leading light at Sampdoria and has been linked with a move to Inter and Manchester City, among others.
The 20-year old has scored 10 goals in 23 games for the Genoan side and has been a revelation.
Despite Samp’s brave ascent up Serie A and almost certain survival in the peninsula this year, Icardi will benefit from leading the line for a side with European expectations next season. Inter, who are desperate for back up to 33 year old striker Diego Milito, would be the perfect destination to further Icardi’s career.
2. Alessandro Diamanti
The 29-year old playmaker has been in the form of his career since joining Bologna, possessing the best left foot in Italy and matching his ingenuity with hard work and a keen eye for goal, combining with fellow veteran Alberto Gilardino at the Rossublu.
One of the few talented left sided players in the peninsula and versatile to boot, Diamanti could be a useful asset to a top club, as he proved with the Azzurri in the summer.
Inter could be a possible destination for the former West Ham man, the Nerazzurri lacking the creativity the midfielder would bring in spades.
3. Angelo Ogbonna
The Torino captain has been linked with a move to Juventus, Milan and Arsenal over the last 18 months, after his intelligent defending caught the eye and earned him a debut call up to the Azzurri in the friendly against the United States in 2011.
Strong, quick and a great reader of the game, Ogbonna is surely ready to leave Turin for a club that can offer him the platform on which to prove himself at the highest level.
Given his ability to play left back in addition to the centre of defence and his comfort in bringing the ball out into midfield would make him the cornerstone of several defences.
AC Milan would be a great destination for Ogbonna, requiring a defence to help stabilize their inconsistent backline.
4. Mattia Perin
A spectacular shot stopper lost behind a terrible defence at Pescara, the 20-year old Perin is co-owned by Genoa and will be the subject of numerous bids for sure.
AC Milan are one interested party given that 35-year old Christian Abbiati is nearing the end of his contract and isn’t a long term situation even if he re-signs.
Young, athletic and full of potential – Mattia Perin could be the long term goalkeeper needed at AC Milan or Fiorentina – who are looking to offload Emiliano Viviano.
Either way, Mattia Perin deserves to be at a Serie A club next season – especially if Pescara are relegated.
5. Andrea Bertolacci
The Genoa midfielder has been a constant in another chaotic season for Enrico Preziosi’s team, mixing creativity and grit in the middle of the park and given the Grifone’s inconsistencies it is unlikely Bertolacci will ever face off against European competition.
Wanted by AC Milan, Bertolacci would be a great addition for a midfield that requires creativity, while Inter could use the youth that Bertolacci provides.
The 22-year old has the potential to be a very complete midfielder, and would benefit from a move to a club that has a less revolving-door feel to it.
Bertolacci is owned by Roma, we better not sell him.
Good point. What do you think about Gaetano D’Agostino?
At his best he was linked to Real Madrid and Juventus some years ago.
Now he seems a little undervalued by top clubs, but he keeps being a good midfielder (better than many players in the bigger clubs).