Despite his recent hat-trick for Chievo at Livorno, Alberto Paloschi seems little more than a bargaining chip to co-owners AC Milan with reports surfacing that they aim to include their stake share in a potential deal for Granada-owned Benfica full-back Guilherme Siqueira this summer.
However, with that treble taking the striker’s total in Serie A to an impressive 13 this term, indications are that it could it be time for the Italian to join a club of greater stature rather than continue to sweat away for mid-table mediocrity.
Still only 24-years-old the ex-Parma man is quickly approaching what should be his peak years as a footballer and, if provided a finer supporting cast and significantly better service than the Flying Donkeys providec could prove a decent acquisition for potential suitors.
With 20 Serie A goals this term for the slightly more fashionable Torino, Ciro Immobile, also 24, has received much greater attention and has co-owners Juventus and Borussia Dortmund are among rumoured destinations next season, yet there is little between the two to warrant such disparity in value.
Even their careers have taken near identical paths, debuting in 2008 and 2009 respectively, both had only moderate success in front of goal until this season other than one prolific season each on-loan in Serie B; Paloschi with Parma during the 2008-09 campaign and the Granata man with Pescara just two seasons ago.
A member of the Milan Primavera Paloschi possibly suffers from an over expectancy to achieve at the San Siro after an extraordinary Serie A arrival at 17-years-old netting the winner on his Rossoneri debut against Siena with his first touch after just 17 seconds.
Somewhat deemed a failure then after struggling to make a permanent breakthrough at Milan, he could not follow up that productive season with the Ducali on their return to the top flight registering just 4 goals, yet should be remembered he was still extremely young.
After three seasons in Verona the decision the Gialloblu took in January 2013 to purchase 50% of the Italian from the Diavolo could now prove extremely beneficial financially, although depriving the team of their main goalscoring threat.
However, regardless of how vital he may remain for a club that has fought relegation this season it is time he has to show the desire to finally fulfil the promise shown five years ago.
Ironically, with Torino likely to witness the departure of both Immobile and strike partner Alessio Cerci this summer, the Turin club could actually be an ideal destination for the Italian to begin that progression.
Giampiero Ventura’s side have significant ambition to challenge for European football again next term but is some distance from the immense pressure that would be found should he make a surprise return to Milan, where cost-cutting measures could provide a second chance.
While that scenario remains unlikely, protests by the Milanisti over the ‘quality’ of additions to the Rossoneri squad in recent times, the added pressure of trying to regain a Champions League birth could also stifle his attempts to become a first-team starter.
However, wherever his next destination, now is the time to spread his wings and leave the security of Verona experienced during the last few years and finally become a major player in Italy, maybe even for the Azzurri in the coming years?
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
