Serie A Canada Latest

The latest transfer rumours in the Serie A.

Juventus left back Reto Ziegler does not seem to figure in the Bianconeri's plans. A move to La Liga seems unlikely as Valencia and Sevilla have dropped out of talks for him. Lokomotiv and CSKA Moscow however have begun tracking him, and are in talks with the players agent/father Rene Ziegler.

They have also closed down talks with Brescia starlet Omar El Khaddouri, a move to the Premiere League is now possible for the young Moroccan who will be showcased in the Olympics.

Sticking with Juventus, Milos Krasic played as a sub in the friendly against Hertha Berlin and scored. He may now have an opportunity in the first team with a possible suspension hanging over Simone Pepe. However, any decent offer for the player would still be accepted at this point.

Bruno Alves is close to a Juventus move, the club are still looking at other options though. Rumours of Salvatore Bocchetti are gaining steam, especially now that Bonucci will likely miss the entire season on a suspension. Bocchetti's contract with Rubin Kazan ends in 2013, a loan deal with option to buy at the end seems likely.

Inter continue to track Lucas Moura from Sao Paulo. It will take at least 30 million Euro for the player, but he has said his future will not be decided until after the Olympics. Manchester United are still in the lead for his signature.

Rumours continue to swirl around Milan. Replacements are needed and the club are looking at everything. Kaka remains a possibility while Catania midfielder Lodi says he is proud to be a Catania player and has no problems staying there. He has recently been linked to the Rossoneri.

Milan continue to look in France for defenders. N'Koulou Nicolas is the latest name to be linked with the club. The Marseille defender is 22 years old and has tonnes of potential. However, he would count as a non-EU player as he is Cameroonian. They should continue to look in Italy for defenders. Angelo Ogbonna anyone?

Napoli have given standout pre-season performer Lorenzo Insigne a contract extension. It runs until 2017.

They are also druelling at the prospects of signing Guiseppe Rossi. However if that deal won't materialize Giampaolo Pazzini, Sergio Floccari and Rolando Bianchi would be other options.

Euro 2012 standout Federico Balzaretti has many admirers, and a move out of Palermo is imminent. The Rosaneri have accepted bids from Roma and Napoli so his future is now in his own hands. His wife would like him to stay in Palermo or move to PSG. Juventus are looking to hijack this deal as well.

Fiorentina are tracking Liverpool midfielder Alberto Aquilani. It seems he would like a move back to Italy but nothing is imminent. Something may happen in the next week or so as Liverpool manager Brendan Rogers tries to figure out if Aquilani will be in his plans for the Reds.

Inter are beginning to look for alternatives to Lucas Moura. Although their hope is still high for the Brazilian, they have looked to Germany for midfield talent. Mario Gotze of Borussia Dortmund as well as Thomas Muller of Bayern Munich. Muller seems likely as he would like more guaranteed playing time than he has been getting in Munich.

Roma has finally made the signing of Mattia Destro official. It's clear now why it took so long, very complicated deal. He moves to the Giallorossi on loan for 11.5m Euro with an option to purchase outright at the end of the year for an extra 4.5. This will obviously happen because it makes no sense to pay 11.5m Euro for a loan, and then throw the player back. Giammario Piscitella and Valerio Verre have gone to Genoa as part of co-ownership deals as well, while Verre will be loaned to Siena. Add it all up you get a 19m Euro deal for Mattia Destro.

Genoa wanted as much money as they could get right away to bring in some re-inforcements. The first two names that have popped up in rumour talks are Milos Krasic from Juventus and Alessio Cerci from Fiorentina. The Rossoblu would like both in a perfect world.

Three teams are hunting Atalanta's Federico Peluso. Juventus, who have been tracking him for quite sometime, Lazio, and Palermo who will soon be searching for a Balzaretti replacement.

Pescara continue to look for new attacking options since losing Veratti, Insigne and Immobile. The three men that won them promotion from Serie B. Emmanuele Calaio is one of the names at the top of their list.

Torino have terminated the contract of Damiano Ferronetti.

Chievo are looking at bringing Valeri Bojinov back to the Serie A. He is currently playing for Sporting Lisbon.

Luc Castaignos made his move from Inter to FC Twente official today. He lashed out at the club saying although he learned a lot during his time in Milan, he had more faith in himself than the team had in him. He's only 19 he can still become a great player. The ceiling is very, very high on this kid.

Udinese, looking for Samir Handanovic replacement, are thinking about bringing former Juventus keeper Alex Manninger into the mix.

Juventus have made the signing of Pablo Armero one of their top priorities. They are thought to want three more players before the window closes. A defender, a striker and left wing. Armero would be that left winger.

That's it for today surely the silly season will have much more tomorrow.
Follow me on twitter @DanRiccio23 for all the very latest transfer news in the Italian Serie A.

Who Is Mattia Destro?

Unless your a long time Football Manager player like myself and this blogs founder Dan Riccio than I really couldn't expect you to answer the title question. This blog post is not a "where will Italys hottest property end up" , because by the time YOU are reading this he could be at a press conference at the Stadio Olimpico being presented to the Roma faithful or in Paris doing keep ups in front of the Eiffel tower.

Hey french ppl look how high i can bounce it!

But who exactly is the young Man that is commanding so much attention from Italy's top clubs? Mattia Destro is a 2nd generation footballer. His father; Flavio Destro played for Ascoli in the 80s. After retiring with the Woodpeckers he became a coach, which would explain why Mattia started his youth career with the Ascoli club, also his city of birth. When his dad was promoted to the Italy's youth team as a coach, his son made the move to Inter's youth system at the age of 14. This is where he struck up a partnership with Italy's NEW golden son Mario Balotelli. Destro's knack for goal in his teens was overshadowed by SWAGotelli's but in 2008 when Mario had solidified him self as a member of Inter's senior team with strong performances off the bench, it was Mattia's time to get attention.

Mattia's fathers playing card

if he becomes half the player this video game predicts he will then....

Playing for Italy's Under 19 team between 2009 & 2010 without Balotelli is when Mattia got to show off his goalscoring skills, by scoring a remarkable 16 goals in 14 appearances for the little Azzurri. Its amazing to think that at this time is when Inter sent him and a few briefcases of cash to Genoa in exchange for Andrea Ranocchia. Yes Inter gave up on another one of their youth prospects, add him to the long list that now includes Pirlo, Santon, Bonnuci, and Balotelli to name a few. 

With his tall stature and strong physique Mattia is a threat to score in front of goal in any game and he showed this in his first two seasons playing in the Serie A. In his first season with Genoa he appeared 16 times, but only started 3 and got 2 goals. His 2nd season with Siena was a lot more successful only starting 15 times and being subbed in another 15 he scored an impressive 12 goals!

state chitu'

When you consider the fact that he is only 20 years old and played for two weaker sides against arguably the best defences in club soccer. Averaging almost 1 goal per every 2 games he plays is a great sign that he will be a goalscoring threat in the Serie A for years to come. 

as a Juve loyalist i gotta hope not to ever see this

Who ever wins the "Destro Sweepstakes" in Italy right now, will reap the benefits. If Roma do get him, as being predicted out of Italy at this very moment, they will definitely fight for a top 3 finish and be considered Scudetto contenders. Mattia Destro has the talent to score 15 goals per season, and the potential to win goal scoring titles. Also he's Italian and having to hear the last few years "Italy has no good upcoming prospects" its hard to root against him or Marco "the traitor' Verratti whether they play for the Zebras or not. I want to see a strong Italy in the future, Brazil 2014 might be to early but Euro 2016 is a realistic possibility. 


Watching him this last season he reminded me a lot of a young Pippo Inzaghi in his ability to always be ahead of the defenders, but he also showed signs of Christian Vieri with his canon of a shot. All good things for the youngster.


So Who is Mattia Destro? Italy's hope at being more than just Balotelli.