Transfer Target #1 - Alessio Cerci

Right Winger, Alessio Cerci was touted as Italy's next rising superstar when he was handed his first team debut at AS Roma by Fabio Capello when he was just 16 years of age. Since then, his career has not been all plain sailing.

Currently playing at Torino, Alessio Cerci started his career in the Roma academy before making 13 appearances for the Roma first team between 2003 and 2010. During his spell at Roma, he was loaned out to several teams, including Pisa, Atlanta and Brescia. At these clubs, he made 59 appearances, scored 10 goals and assisted 7 times.

By the end of 2009, Capello felt that his young protege had not lived up to the expectations so was sold to Fiorentina for £3.5m. At Fiorentina, he made 47 appearances and scored 12 goals. His 47 appearances spanned 2 seasons and was sold at the start of the 2012/2013 season for €2.6m to Torino, where he currently resides.

Alessio made his international debut on the 26 March 2013 against Malta in a World Cup Qualifier. To date, he has represented Italy 10 times but is yet to score a goal. At youth level, he travelled to the UEFA U21 tournament in 2009, but was an unused substitute for the duration of the competition. 

This season has seen Cerci net 9 goals and assist 7 times in 17 appearances. He has proved instrumental in firing Torino to 7th position in the Serie A table at the close of 2013 and his recent performances has put himself in the shop window and could merit a place in Prandelli's Italian squad for the World Cup.

Cerci has been on the radar of various English clubs including Arsenal and Manchester United. He was reported to have said that he would relish the chance of playing in the Champions League and would be 'open' to a move to the Manchester club. If the transfer to United proceeds, it could spell the end for Nani or Ashley Young at the Theatre of Dreams. Over the Christmas period, he also revealed his desire to return to his boyhood club Roma. 

With nothing set in stone yet, Cerci is likely to be on the move in January, but clubs will need to act swiftly if they want to secure the signature of the 26 year old. The transfer situation could turn sticky as the Torino board have announced that he is not for sale.

Rumoured teams to be interested:

Arsenal (TalkSport) (Daily Star)

Liverpool (TalkSport) (Daily Star)

Tottenham (TalkSport) (Daily Star)

Manchester United (TalkSport) (International Business Times UK) (Daily Star) (The Sport Review)

Roma (Football Italia) (SportPulse)

Chelsea (Daily Star)