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Radja Nainggolan, Leonardo Bonucci, Thiago Motta & the Serie A stars who could leave their clubs before the January transfer window closes
There are just a few days of business remaining now in Italy and there are still a number of players who could yet be on the move ahead of the end of the month
28 Jan 2012 13:15:00
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ANALYSIS
By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor
Like children counting down to Christmas, many Serie A presidents are ticking off the days on their calendar at the moment as February approaches. Some are eager to hold on to their prized asset, while others are keen to use what time is left to make a crucial move to strengthen their squad.
And with some names of notable quality still to nail their colours to their clubs' masts, there are a handful of important players who could yet be on the move.
Below we have a look at the more high-profile men to have been linked with moves and judge whether they are likely to be subjects of transfers in the last few days of the January transfer window.
The ex-Bari man has actually enjoyed a decent spell in the first team this season due to Antonio Conte's decision to use Giorgio Chiellini as an emergency left-back to cover for Juve's lack of depth out wide.
However, the signing of Martin Caceres from Sevilla will more than likely result in Bonucci seeing less playing time and, with Euro 2012 on the horizon, it could well be costly to his hopes of featuring for Italy in Poland and Ukraine in the summer.
Zenit's interest has dampened in the last couple of days, and the Bianconeri will be keen to use him as cover, but the player himself may look favourably on a switch if a late bid comes in.
"I'm not scoring goals? I need to be playing games to score goals!" That was the response from Djibril Cisse when he was criticised recently for his lack of scoring threat since his move from Panathinaikos to the Stadio Olimpico in the summer.
Thursday evening's display against Milan in the Coppa Italia summed up much of Cisse's luck in the Lazio shirt so far, with an early goal being followed by a rather ragged performance complete with a couple of aimless blasts into the crowd.
And it is this type of form which has suggested that Claudio Lotito, Igli Tare and Edy Reja may decide to cut their losses if QPR's interest over the last few days becomes more solid.
Of Juventus' three forgotten strikers, Iaquinta has been the least talked-about for much of this month but, with Amauri having moved on and Luca Toni on the verge of a switch, the former Udinese man is also set to be farmed out.
Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini claimed on Friday that his club's moves have been completed for January, but he also said that he wasn't about to sack Devis Mangia last month!
If Iaquinta doesn't end up in Sicily, there could yet be a late move elsewhere given that his previously impressive goalscoring record could come in handy for any number of Serie A clubs.
With over 300 career goals to his name, it wasn't a complete surprise that Milan decided to give Inzaghi another one-year contract last summer after their Serie A success. However, his lack of minutes in the champions' defence has become a noticeable concern.
His misery was made all the worse on Thursday when he was asked to warm up extensively during the clash with Lazio, only to then be overlooked for all three substitutions. Clearly upset, the striking legend could be set for one last move in a bid to gain playing time.
Novara have been linked with the former Juventus man over a lengthy period this month and they could yet add him to their squad despite having already welcomed Andrea Caracciolo and Giuseppe Mascara to their nest.
The Brazilian-born Italy international left the door open for a move to PSG last week when admitting: "Could I leave Inter? Paris is a beautiful city."
The link to Carlo Ancelotti's cash-flaunting outfit is clearly a strong one, but now it all appears a matter of timing. With the Nerazzurri needing to think about how they'll cope without a player who has reasserted his authority on the first XI this term, it may well be that the move will be delayed until June.
PSG director Leonardo admitted in the last 24 hours that, while a deal with the player is done, Inter could yet put a block on a deal going ahead until the summer.
Having been chased by both Inter and Milan to varying degrees, Nainggolan has looked increasingly likely to don the black and white stripes of Juventus as the weeks have passed this month.
With the Bianconeri looking to bolster their options in midfield, the Belgian has many of the qualities necessary for the role, and now appears on the verge of completing a switch.
The only drawback so far has been in regard to the Sardinians looking for extra squad numbers, with Juve looking to help them with a convoluted move for Marco Parolo before offering striker Ciro Immobile in part-exchange.
A deal will surely happen, but the exact breakdown is all that remains to be decided.
The Italian midfielder has been regarded as hot property for a year or so now, and his time with Cesena may finally be coming to an end in the next few days.
Cagliari have been helped by Juventus in their search for a midfielder as part of their pursuit for Nainggolan. There has even been a move to Turin for Fulham's Pajtim Kasami touted, whereby the Swiss would be parked at Cesena to allow a sale of Parolo to Sardinia, in turn freeing the Isolani to sell Nainggolan.
However, a much less complicated deal could be struck with Fiorentina, who are looking to improve their ailing midfield. Either way, Parolo looks as close as he's even been to parting ways with the Seahorses.
It has simply been a case of where and when rather than 'if' where a move for Luca Toni is concerned. With no first team football having been forthcoming under Antonio Conte, and Marco Borriello added to Juventus' ranks earlier this month, an exit seems certain.
Toni's agents have been hard at work looking for a new club for the World Cup winner, and their sales technique looks set to bring its rewards in the United Arab Emirates with Al Nasr.
There could yet be a late turnaround, with his pedigree potentially proving tempting to a Serie A club, but everything points to a trip to the Middle East as things stand.
Follow Kris Voakes on
By Kris Voakes | Italian Football Editor
Like children counting down to Christmas, many Serie A presidents are ticking off the days on their calendar at the moment as February approaches. Some are eager to hold on to their prized asset, while others are keen to use what time is left to make a crucial move to strengthen their squad.
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And with some names of notable quality still to nail their colours to their clubs' masts, there are a handful of important players who could yet be on the move.
Below we have a look at the more high-profile men to have been linked with moves and judge whether they are likely to be subjects of transfers in the last few days of the January transfer window.
| LEONARDO BONUCCI | Juventus, Centre-Back, 24 |
 Read more on Bonucci |
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However, the signing of Martin Caceres from Sevilla will more than likely result in Bonucci seeing less playing time and, with Euro 2012 on the horizon, it could well be costly to his hopes of featuring for Italy in Poland and Ukraine in the summer.
Zenit's interest has dampened in the last couple of days, and the Bianconeri will be keen to use him as cover, but the player himself may look favourably on a switch if a late bid comes in.
| DJIBRIL CISSE | Lazio, Forward, 30 |
 Read more on Cisse |
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Thursday evening's display against Milan in the Coppa Italia summed up much of Cisse's luck in the Lazio shirt so far, with an early goal being followed by a rather ragged performance complete with a couple of aimless blasts into the crowd.
And it is this type of form which has suggested that Claudio Lotito, Igli Tare and Edy Reja may decide to cut their losses if QPR's interest over the last few days becomes more solid.
| VINCENZO IAQUINTA | Juventus, Striker, 32 |
 Read more on Iaquinta |
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Palermo president Maurizio Zamparini claimed on Friday that his club's moves have been completed for January, but he also said that he wasn't about to sack Devis Mangia last month!
If Iaquinta doesn't end up in Sicily, there could yet be a late move elsewhere given that his previously impressive goalscoring record could come in handy for any number of Serie A clubs.
| FILIPPO INZAGHI | AC Milan, Striker, 38 |
 Read more on Inzaghi |
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His misery was made all the worse on Thursday when he was asked to warm up extensively during the clash with Lazio, only to then be overlooked for all three substitutions. Clearly upset, the striking legend could be set for one last move in a bid to gain playing time.
Novara have been linked with the former Juventus man over a lengthy period this month and they could yet add him to their squad despite having already welcomed Andrea Caracciolo and Giuseppe Mascara to their nest.
| THIAGO MOTTA | Inter, Midfielder, 29 |
 Read more on Thiago Motta |
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The link to Carlo Ancelotti's cash-flaunting outfit is clearly a strong one, but now it all appears a matter of timing. With the Nerazzurri needing to think about how they'll cope without a player who has reasserted his authority on the first XI this term, it may well be that the move will be delayed until June.
PSG director Leonardo admitted in the last 24 hours that, while a deal with the player is done, Inter could yet put a block on a deal going ahead until the summer.
| RADJA NAINGGOLAN | Cagliari, Midfielder, 23 |
 Read more on Nainggolan |
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With the Bianconeri looking to bolster their options in midfield, the Belgian has many of the qualities necessary for the role, and now appears on the verge of completing a switch.
The only drawback so far has been in regard to the Sardinians looking for extra squad numbers, with Juve looking to help them with a convoluted move for Marco Parolo before offering striker Ciro Immobile in part-exchange.
A deal will surely happen, but the exact breakdown is all that remains to be decided.
| MARCO PAROLO | Cesena, Midfielder, 27 |
 Read more on Parolo |
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Cagliari have been helped by Juventus in their search for a midfielder as part of their pursuit for Nainggolan. There has even been a move to Turin for Fulham's Pajtim Kasami touted, whereby the Swiss would be parked at Cesena to allow a sale of Parolo to Sardinia, in turn freeing the Isolani to sell Nainggolan.
However, a much less complicated deal could be struck with Fiorentina, who are looking to improve their ailing midfield. Either way, Parolo looks as close as he's even been to parting ways with the Seahorses.
| LUCA TONI | Juventus, Striker, 34 |
 Read more on Toni |
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Toni's agents have been hard at work looking for a new club for the World Cup winner, and their sales technique looks set to bring its rewards in the United Arab Emirates with Al Nasr.
There could yet be a late turnaround, with his pedigree potentially proving tempting to a Serie A club, but everything points to a trip to the Middle East as things stand.
Follow Kris Voakes on
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
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| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
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| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
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